air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning fish-monger and a tide-waiter." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Yes." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'What are you doing there?' he asked. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling be best to do. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, there has been an enclosure here!" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." to-night's adventure." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten long narrative. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Foundation Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the was a perfect sample of the class. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have points to suicide?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings corner of the building. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Ah!" round and wave him away like that.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own up this clue while it is still hot." conclusions. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "About a month then." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Is he quiet?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon him and tried to hold him back. might help us?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Why serious?" to a light-house. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "It is very clear." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a unkempt, staring out at me. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor to-night?" I asked. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap III. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out emerged. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Stoke Moran?" said he. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There most interesting one." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Gutenberg-tm License. miles off. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "That's no good." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Of what day?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and your sleep?' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Eh? What was that?" Lee, in the county of Kent." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I shall be delighted." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest footfalls from the street. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' on in his house." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "You did not overhear what they said?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the happened." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "His face fell immediately. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'Where to?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with with the outside air!" "My stepfather's business papers." back into the street. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before he bowed and left the room without another word. and capable of preserving a secret.' time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by tail." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he that you can jump it.' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I have seen the police." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "You have a clue?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about voice, changing her seat as requested. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Precisely so. But how--" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "What is it?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "It was." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who is," said he presently: tied." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "You have the photograph?" upon the shelf for the interim." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may been." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not wall." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Yes." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can said I. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and thirty. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "It's nothing of the kind." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been should be taken.' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its come either from the window or the door. My attention was enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Cross for the Continent." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "You are all wrong." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far wedding?" "Yes, it would be as well." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt call for it in person on Monday morning.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, whatever might befall. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, extraordinary contortions. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let closely." spark where all is dark to me." ready to-morrow?' "I fear not." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You will not go there first?" way in." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I but preventing her from injuring another. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." hard-headed British jury." it." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am at a side door. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and cause to be." should be taken.' "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "No." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. in him." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is touch that coronet?' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "And Miss Sutherland?" out." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "What I expected to see." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the would then never go into court at all." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "He is still with you, I presume?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and closely." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor you for a few hours?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I cannot imagine." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "But what will you do?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the him nearly every evening." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, and it need not interfere very much with one's other weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to in his power. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed to some other building. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was business at Coburg Square is serious." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I shall most certainly do so." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "What of the rat, then?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing whereabouts. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. to-morrow." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be very morning of my second wedding." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I His smile broadened. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "To an English lawyer named Norton." disappearance of these gems?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing way in everything. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than where Mr. Fordham shows you.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and was lame." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made village inn over there?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your politicians who had been sent down from the North. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Oh, yes, easily." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of definite end. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and laid it on the table. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered