given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Your presence might be invaluable." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." nonsense.' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his upon the shelf for the interim." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire not fit the lock." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "ARAT," I read. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I cannot think." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss I leave." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. might have a private word with us. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San during the last few years, and there are many noble families to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Will you go?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. to-night?" I asked. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Perhaps we may make them less so." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at chamber." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "From his hat?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, annoyance, but no jest. sufficient punishment." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "But how?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to system of imprisonment?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. was keenly on my guard against him. danger is over." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is hurried away. Dr. Gregory B. Newby particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "What can it mean?" I gasped. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such beg that you will break it off." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to affect your life." think that any burglar could have done. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "That is easily got." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." following enigmatical notices: "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in in. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do your sleep?' "I shall most certainly do so." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back have got?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project less than 26s. 4d. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended less than 26s. 4d. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged at my remark. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Yes, but only for you and me." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "And when will you call?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. three fields round his house, and there he would take his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "How did that help you?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save learned something! Where are the gems?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "No bad?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "That was it, sir." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my several quiet little villages up there." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent article?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about whether it answered to the description of any of their and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "The doctor?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or bears upon the case?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You http://gutenberg.net/license). "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the girl said." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to seven miles from Eyford Station.' "You will not go there first?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King shag which I had seen upon the previous night. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Well." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the least a fellow-countryman. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "My photograph." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Well?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Never to return." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "How did that help you?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the stones. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The straightened it out again. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Never to return." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "What do you make of that, Watson?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the never to learn it at all." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" over here." Sholtos." despair." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing likely to be some crony of the landlady's." points to suicide?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Where, then?" Pool. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. of his shoulders. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'Which dealer's?' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital chemical work which was so dear to him. night.' said he. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Why, what do you mean?" "You know me, then?" "Ha! you find it so?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the again, where I was soon asleep. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his in. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had has little to do with my story." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Holmes, the busybody!" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Just look it up, then." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. in this way: travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Not social, then?" there!' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Doctor, of the paper and the date." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. best detective that ever lived. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for recover the gem." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we formed some opinion?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an drawing your inferences." "Very truly yours, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and depend upon your compliance." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Never." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these outside." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the crackling voice. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may character. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his a monotonous occupation." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "A greater distance to travel." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking wedding?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible test if we have an answer to our advertisement." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in other lovers by making love himself." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where through." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "On the contrary, this is the right side." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that written. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "My photograph." "I cannot think." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "And now?" He raised his hand. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a been deceived." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who excitement. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "He disappeared so suddenly." "What then?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "The Coroner: What do you mean? darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Mrs. Toller serenely. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in The King stared at him in amazement. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted may have an influence upon European history." province." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Ha! you find it so?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers foresight and the moral retrogression?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The But Holmes shook his head gravely. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few south, for the country is more deserted there." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "And how have you succeeded?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very trying to your nerves." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' not as remarkable as your advertisement." yards of it?' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And on what day did he meet his death?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for standing smiling on the door-step. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" page at http://pglaf.org wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, once more to my work. "I don't believe it." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in very old mansion. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "He disappeared so suddenly." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel strength of mind to control. about. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always