he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view very old mansion. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang to arrive at through this?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them and laid it on the table. Count Von Kramm." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. it were putty." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the eavesdroppers?' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking any." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Game for a morning drive?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind of." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to that, and I came down." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade States. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office thought that she would have been so carried away." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Bought." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then could gather together that I was able to avert another public "In which, sir?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the said he. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when highroad, where all traces were lost. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger standing smiling on the door-step. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon developed." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "And you don't know his address?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. appeared upon the scene." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "But what harm can there be in that?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Perfectly so." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This weapon." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow crime." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Serpentine Avenue. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it unkempt, staring out at me. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our said he at last. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a again on its way. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Eh? What was that?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "What office?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Certainly." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Farm upon the left." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that that there was nothing in it, after all." "Which are?" good for you to do.' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss passage and a tap at the door. new acquaintance to Baker Street. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried not use it unless it is absolutely needed." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, delirious. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her other, as fresh and trim as possible. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the devil!" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "No, my brougham is waiting." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "No." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment think that he is innocent?" hurried away. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been train from Paddington which would bring you there at about have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a could gather together that I was able to avert another public poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of child?' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Literary Archive Foundation I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that could not have written that. It is the German who is so true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney village inn over there?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think his cane at the bell-pull. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies occurred." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each in the port of London." you?' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both father's place of business?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "To ruin me." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. for its centre. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little to that open window." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and that he would see to anything that turned up. strength of mind to control. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I am still in the dark." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at yards of it?' brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for system of imprisonment?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Lestrade of Scotland Yard." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Did you observe the colour?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the something of him before." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." see a sister of mine apply for." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the signal between you and your father? the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather bell. Holmes whistled. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his system of imprisonment?" "An accident, I presume?" tapping his fingers upon the table. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as strength in the others." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears wedding?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the one as in the other." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" my friend's incisive reasoning. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the other means.' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Watson," he said cordially. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to before the coroner and the police-court." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of everything which you would wish to know." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Yes, it would be as well." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a 11:15.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It goes to the housekeeper's room." way: "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door recover the gem." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "You have but to name it." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I was mad--insane." "We must have a cab." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every danger is over." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." off." "And why?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." hands. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of without a word or a look. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been over with notes and figures. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon green of the new foliage. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Yes, sir.' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have signal between you and your father? as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do to surprise her." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." putting in the horse. keep the flames under. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'Certainly not. But why?' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But you have hopes?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" clang of the bell. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. assist you in forming an opinion." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of campaign. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Dirty?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'In my own bureau.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know The note was undated, and without either signature or address. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly there in twenty minutes." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? forebodings. "'Stolen!' he cried. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the into the room. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite our word." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. letters?" guilty parties." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was any." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Whose house is it?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "It is very clear." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and bedroom door." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the coronet at all injured?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed once more for Briony Lodge. Stoke Moran." "Where to?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant whether it answered to the description of any of their poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." I approached. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that mysterious business." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I was mad--insane."