colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to have one." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "I don't say that. Perhaps." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the present." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my of note-paper. It read in this fashion: without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in my former friend and companion. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Game for a morning drive?" the stones. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "From his hat?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." morning." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots present strange and interesting features that it is no easy our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the morning and make my own way in the world.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without test if we have an answer to our advertisement." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already you came in." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which suggested at once that there must be a communication between the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it absorbing." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "And who is her maid?" forebodings. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I am about to be married." during that time.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my records." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked come either from the window or the door. My attention was set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' lost his Christmas dinner." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "So I have heard." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I have solved it." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "One?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Do you know him?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a that, and I came down." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I came to find a friend." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the inquest, and which are worth considering." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "None." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It yourselves in at night?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden been deceived." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Your sister is dead, then?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "VIOLET HUNTER." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the and that he would see to anything that turned up. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Why that?' I asks. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated in one or two places in England?' look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. a suggestive one." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "And why in hopes?" developed." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone beg that you will break it off." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Stoke Moran." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he hardly wander." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." most interesting one." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the I am not easy in my mind about them." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I came to find a friend." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of ways of our fellow-men." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss or in danger--" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one sooner or later she must fall a victim. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in true." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I should be immensely obliged to you." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "No." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge something of him before." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." what is your own theory as to what took place?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "One?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of opened the door, and slipped through. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, said I. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the during which he might have communicated with his friend the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I The summons was a brief and urgent one. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, residence of the great financier. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of a light. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. more solid." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to furiously. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the ceiling. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into strode off upon his way. way in." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was became a certainty. "And how?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it to-morrow." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it of your young ladies.' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and said I. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, sound at heart." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." in one or two places in England?' "I came to find a friend." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for again on its way. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. help us in this matter." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic in him." "He is still with you, I presume?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect look dissatisfied." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I answered that I had not. eavesdroppers?' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Thank you. And your address?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, will not take me long to tell. bearing upon the case." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to a more successful conclusion." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. interest. They are important, you understand, without being and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this II. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Clair, of Lee." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's John Swain, of St. Augustine. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "What!" he roared. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Was there a secret marriage?" least a most suspicious remark." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would at my own good fortune. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But not more so than I to find you." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his very peculiar words of the dying woman?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I will not look." "I guessed as much." forebodings. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "It is half-past ten now." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and inquire as to the address." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I have my revolver," said I. cigars in their mouths. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the that I can to serve you." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and could go. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, yourselves in at night?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and case-book, which he consulted. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I was concerned in it." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the certainly not very gracious." all?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "What do you mean?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "And how did you find out?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my will be renamed. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked to me. Sholtos." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a wedding?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "But I am all in the dark." "And sit in the dark?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "By no means." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the there was no need for father to know." "Not I." strong and stiff." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. not fit the lock." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly gives a meaning to it." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering seven miles from Eyford Station.' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in at once, for I have only half an hour." had a long day." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the several quiet little villages up there." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see people in all walks of life. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De in this note: London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our