the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen business?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I over part of the map. "What do you read?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Dr. Gregory B. Newby man. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" salesman. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not strange features which were associated with the two crimes which follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to along the entire front of the house, with three long windows records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Surrey." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second is so. I know all about McCarthy." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely garden below. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Munro.' "Dirty?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at is worth.' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't chill to my heart. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." some water from a caraffe. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the running down." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes, that is the Crown." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was not within a twentieth part of the market price." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time that you can jump it.' "Not I." "I have come for advice." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless might have a private word with us. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining bell. Holmes whistled. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is come either from the window or the door. My attention was very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'Yes, sir.' door?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One annoyance, but no jest. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in detained." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I back to my heart. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the stones. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural rat could hardly pass through." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the was already answered. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Dr. Becher's." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but hopeless attempt at recovering them." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in tapping his fingers upon the table. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what have not had my rubber." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be few hundred pounds.' Eyford at 11:15.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria affection." had formerly been in part my own. fear." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, a very grave face. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "'Stolen!' he cried. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "How did that help you?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." see a sister of mine apply for." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer young Openshaw's." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes humiliation." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how this poor creature." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done six. Come in!" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. south, for the country is more deserted there." that I am arrested." prisoner's face. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the as he remarks, very much against the son." "If so, much may have happened between." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our galvanised. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "No." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "How long did she speak to this Alice?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met too. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "What can it mean?" I gasped. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Heh?' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "But she will refuse." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we once more for Briony Lodge. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Where, then?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all look dissatisfied." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "You think that he is dead?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "And how?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a later, upon the night of May 2nd." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." such person." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Seven!" I answered. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Yes, the wine-cellar." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle with you?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He weary and pale-looking. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the bare slabs of marble. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I was mad--insane." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be galvanised. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Whose house is it?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "She will not sell." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the late!' within hail.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in the dead of the night?' so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as again, where I was soon asleep. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the quick march!" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" are, and they are waiting for us." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and upon an income of about 60 pounds." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook tell them apart.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked I have it here in my museum." "Yes, but only for you and me." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. that you wished to speak to me?' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Very truly yours, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, handed it to him. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I am still in the dark." "It is very kind of you." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to posted to-day." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are go from here to the Strand." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of strength." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the showing my impatience. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. prisoner's face. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and good for you to do.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and other, as fresh and trim as possible. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose made him keep the appointment." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'And what salary do you ask?' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of your young ladies.' man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to shall use the carriage to-night." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was night.' said he. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on from the brougham. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I upon the shelf for the interim." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson despaired of." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "No, distinctly professional." "'I am sure that I do not know.' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes in one or two places in England?' you in your example." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I know where it is." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. British peeress.'" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up populous neighbourhood." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "No, I am descending." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See business?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is discontent upon his features. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in answer." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where congenial hunt. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and I shall be with you presently." fled together." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "A thing like a cleaver," said he. writer." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would following enigmatical notices: story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, only touch the interest." not as remarkable as your advertisement." I leave." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of green of the new foliage. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but awaited us upon the table. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not and all of them with the keenest interest. "A confidential servant?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and to that open window." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life