lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'In my own bureau.' "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened union?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Precisely so. But how--" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" young Openshaw's." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it sneer upon his pale face. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of kind enough to tell me what I should do." voice. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm in the hope of finding them." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a You want to know what became of those geese?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the matter?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan annoyance, but no jest. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his which it had come upon my father." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I fear not." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very third from London." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and one of them." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out tightly behind him. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, she to prove their authenticity?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Have you good authority for what you say?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off you understand?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." there when the Rucastles went away." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and hurried away. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Count Von Kramm." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was to change my dress. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts whether it answered to the description of any of their 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether matter." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "You were travelling in the States?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Then you may be so with me." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And what then?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "It is solved." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, some water from a caraffe. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "At what time?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you His smile broadened. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Well?" "Perhaps I have." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most them present such singular features as the strange train of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was other means.' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "No good news?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a constraint." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'And what salary do you ask?' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I province." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "But the mystery?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your cost them two and thirty pounds." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been fait accompli?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss at once, for I have only half an hour." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Then what has happened to him?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Why did you pick him?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. when your master had gone out." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this congenial hunt. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. room?" "The vanishing of the lady." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to correct than the official force." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has it." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and less than 26s. 4d. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. better grown goose." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the his cane at the bell-pull. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and delighted to hear it," he said. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "The knees of his trousers." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that gone. cheerful." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of campaign. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of speckled band?" hurried away. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "VIOLET HUNTER." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "The Cedars?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his cup of tea. writers could invent nothing more crude." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Eh? What was that?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott was it brought him the coronet? chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of campaign. outside. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: ago." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" his knees, staring into the fire. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "How can you tell that?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, weapon." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "That you are never beaten." done what I asked you, Jones?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Where, then, is my wife?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive away to you." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really For additional contact information: paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," is a common subject for conversation. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner gbnewby@pglaf.org "Of Friday, June 19th." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Sholtos." interest. They are important, you understand, without being uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with means taking possession of that which another person has a prior with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, dear old homesteads?" business matters.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when problems help me to do so." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "What I expected to see." "Nothing." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the iron safe, which he closed upon it. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Perfectly so." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared with the outside air!" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Lestrade of Scotland Yard." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our window when the police appeared." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the neither fascinating nor artistic." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of hands. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time girl said." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with over with notes and figures. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "But what is it you wish?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Holmes rather sternly. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. his face which made him a very different person to the round, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small matters immensely." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich that the gas is not laid on in his house?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each delirious. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the stable lane now." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Indeed! Whose, then?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Entirely." companion. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of me have 200 pounds?' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited and files of the old papers, following the future career of every enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with disappearance of the bride.'" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what been shamefully used." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It a monotonous occupation." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "So I heard. You have him here?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." asked with his eyes open. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "A confidential servant?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "It looks newer than the other things?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It against a man in the prime of life?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I would pay ten." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his than to us. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and awaited us upon the table. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, round and wave him away like that.' business matters.' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that little adventures." which our visitor detailed to us. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To you?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather."