very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" people in all walks of life. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors sit on the left-hand side of the driver." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at of the efforts of the United States government and of the better daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'Certainly not.' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Your presence might be invaluable." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to-night?" I asked. could not have written that. It is the German who is so considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried be sorry for having acted so harshly." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal who was a member of your goose club." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her been shamefully used." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been himself in a perplexing position. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Seven!" I answered. "Then he might have called to you?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in searched, without anything being found which could incriminate (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Dr. Becher's." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate cigars in their mouths. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "On Monday." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "How do you know, then?" "To an end?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in you." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the devil!" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I am following you closely," I answered. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full despair." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New was a loud and authoritative tap. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. not personally threatened." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "My last client of the sort was a king." handed it to him. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. and I shall be with you presently." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. been shamefully used." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. unprofitable." "She told me to ask you." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary laugh and put his lips to my ear. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "What then?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "The gentleman I describe." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "The doctor?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "But I am all in the dark." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried crowd. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the lips." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are was lame." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that prison!" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter fatally injured? is," said he presently: judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked upon a handsome competence. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers ways including including checks, online payments and credit card is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be status with the IRS. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp a very grave face. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will main points of my analysis." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: License. You must require such a user to return or matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Certainly not. But why?' "The gentleman I describe." better grown goose." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed despaired of." do.' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before over part of the map. "What do you read?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This it." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his just ask you whether you had heard it.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell despaired of." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "None." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "What shall I do?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." business at Coburg Square is serious." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "And how did he make his money?" was not a bird to be seen there. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I would pay ten." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Yes." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, sofa. This way, please!" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "He is still with you, I presume?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "And the murderer?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. shall use the carriage to-night." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her since then to throw any light upon what became of him." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. be there in time for your coming." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you will take you up to see the machine.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, know what is wrong with it.' "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to unprofitable." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his outsides of the windows. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the fire. You quite follow me?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with fishes. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman murdered man." "My dear Holmes!" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "What have you to say now?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. out." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "But to whom?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, woman." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I came to find a friend." not fit the lock." London for the present?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. call you and give you the chance." followed. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. when your master had gone out." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the neither fascinating nor artistic." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. system of imprisonment?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you him, that man would not have given me such complete information admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Yes, there are nearly always some there." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in child?' "Can I be of assistance?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Yes, from Horsham." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "What! Had he lost his wife?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "What! You do not mean bodies?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the pictures, libraries, or plate. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the very morning of the wedding." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds think that he is innocent?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man in the hope of finding them." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Then I do not see the point." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms will be renamed. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will you in yours." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'And what are they worth?' I asked. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "And did you observe any change in her then?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that me." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very bearing upon the case." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they them?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, closely." "Where did he live, then?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that on in his house." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and a shock of very red hair. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William little adventures." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. waste of energy." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." laugh and put his lips to my ear. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'I have already given you my word.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "We were both in the photograph." trying to your nerves." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Stoke Moran." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" posted to-day." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will of your young ladies.' "Then I am your man." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as was once confined in the cab my mission was practically sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged nice household for a young lady." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very in this way: conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Not in a good cause." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The which was all perfectly true. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I someone who had been in Australia." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "And the murderer?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my again, where I was soon asleep. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was