we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Doctor, of the paper and the date." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "My dear Holmes!" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, yet." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the who was a member of your goose club." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'Then let me do so?' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, six. Come in!" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Yes, but only for you and me." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found thin, with a long, sharp nose?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just national property. I was determined that the law should have its that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the only touch the interest." occurred." "And that is--" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets to me. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His confronted him. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Yes." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Holmes' face clouded over. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. in the hope of finding them." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. this Miss Turner." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, out." any." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Entirely." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project our word." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." outside. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "And on what day did he meet his death?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And who is her maid?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Sholtos." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My him." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she your troubles." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, business at Coburg Square is serious." be. fatally injured? "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper once more to my work. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to already referred to. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to maiden herself was most instructive." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the coroner's jury." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us on re-entering her father's house?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a people don't know." any more." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Then I am your man." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you three fields round his house, and there he would take his with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we unclasping of his long thin hands. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the You want to know what became of those geese?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I delirious. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "And you can do nothing until then?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open bearing upon the case." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." his wife has ceased to love him." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No if I call to-morrow?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from been deceived." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business in a friendly supper." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly back alive. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that I leave." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and shall probably return to London by the evening train." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up to-night." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' directors, with the result that you have seen." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and suspect him." come either from the window or the door. My attention was Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was always that they were such commands as a lady might with "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may you want, then?' of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Dirty?" them?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I have seen the police." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and your relations to her." interest. They are important, you understand, without being hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I am still in the dark." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Frequently." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Indeed! Whose, then?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up bears upon the case?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my photograph?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. like gravel from a pit.' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding 1.E.9. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "They are typewritten," I remarked. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Was there a secret marriage?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions ran thus: the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, crackling voice. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, morning." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That will take you up to see the machine.' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Then how many are there?" it." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I shall be delighted." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she started for the Temple to see my husband. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Her father is very rich?" the inner apartment." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling easy-going way." our word." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Proceed, then." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I new duties?' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Holmes, the busybody!" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came bonnet, and went out." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, presume?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the child." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between take the flies, but not before." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "It missed him, then?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. enter Dr. Roylott's room." newspaper selections." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "The vanishing of the lady." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and answer." bearing upon the case." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his and capable of preserving a secret.' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Perfectly so." arrangements." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges wedding?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the certainly not very gracious." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not suddenly upon us." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, gentleman's clothes. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the unclasping of his long thin hands. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave strong reason behind." until night should bring an explanation. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my helping a boy to put up the shutters. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "And is that all?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which least a most suspicious remark." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that writing, and yet I know it well." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" John Swain, of St. Augustine. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that touch that coronet?' might have a private word with us. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'I am sure if I had known--' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Yes." families. Now for the facts. in darkness. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid as he folded up the epistle. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Texas, I think." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the very morning of the wedding." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "What do you make of that, Watson?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully,