conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his bore every mark of being an average commonplace British plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all fishes. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "VIOLET HUNTER." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at where we are going." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most your troubles." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "10th. John Swain cleared. "And leave your case unfinished?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole think you a quite exceptional woman." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. thirty. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Why did you beat the pavement?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had which should have the effect of calling the attention of the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a sake, don't!" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' answered with a sidelong glance. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my if she died from some sudden fright." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my room." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Countess of Morcar's?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, said I. bachelor.' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman open." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all threw himself down with his face to the pillow. my little problems." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Precisely so. But how--" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Did your wife hear all this?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could discontent upon his features. bonnet, and went out." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The neither fascinating nor artistic." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old this remarkable episode. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "You horrify me." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, despaired of." "None." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Yes, only one." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Is purely nominal.' "Nothing?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "What do you mean?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I forebodings. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. whatever might befall. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the father's place of business?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to bonnet, and went out." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I call for it in person on Monday morning.' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "That is not always so easy." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you stood on the top of it. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. all?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "It is possible." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the DISSOLVED. "How many? I don't know." "I shall be delighted." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that during that time.' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "She will not sell." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "And your mother is alive?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in bird of prey. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I corner of the building. until night should bring an explanation. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." been deceived." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "In the cells." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood system of imprisonment?" joking. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "That is not always so easy." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the never will be, entirely cleared up. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Count Von Kramm." "Certainly." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all one which it was hard to resist. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, know all about it," he snarled. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine seem to you to be relevant or not." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and capable of preserving a secret.' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs have not had my rubber." round and wave him away like that.' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl tension within him. nice household for a young lady." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America conduct the inquiry." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Mrs. Toller serenely. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew chemical work which was so dear to him. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, What do you deduce from it?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and our word." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Sutherland?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What official police." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. like that before?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the date of his supposed suicide." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Dirty?" "Was your sister dressed?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended to-night." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "But your client--" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House there." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility been able to understand it, in a very few words. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that vanished into the darkness. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, digesting their breakfasts at home." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "My photograph." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "But the mystery?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the look upon these things in a different way." come either from the window or the door. My attention was a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the way: cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Always." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, her also." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a of." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "We must have a cab." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will me have 200 pounds?' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking appeal." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San might help us?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away easy-going way." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found fishes. furiously. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few public press." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us DISSOLVED. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and effective." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well triumphant cloud from his cigarette. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you past. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Yes. He waved his hands." has little to do with my story." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "It is very kind of you." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "What I expected to see." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT giving me time to thank him. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Married! When?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I think it very unlikely." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping make me his representative both with the servants and with the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become when you have done it." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the loss of it. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "And the murderer?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Get out!" said he. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, on re-entering her father's house?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from The police have openly confessed that they can at present make there." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a hand, madam?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Did your wife hear all this?" seen the man in the road." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and congratulate you again." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true there when the Rucastles went away." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and disturbance in my wife." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'And the work?' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in