nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "It looks newer than the other things?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, handed it to him. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to there when the Rucastles went away." which our visitor detailed to us. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the coronet in his hand?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. have got?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most chill to my heart. article?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your eavesdroppers?' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "This photograph!" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that man. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "And did you observe any change in her then?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a gives a meaning to it." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "And help." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in your Highness to the police-station?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly ago." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be But Holmes shook his head gravely. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching interests were the same as his." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I came to find a friend." this unhappy family?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward States. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," in the hope of finding them." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon mystery!" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Your presence might be invaluable." "Only as much as we can deduce." families. Now for the facts. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of with frightened eyes at his accuser. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed British peeress.'" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which flock.' Eyford." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and comes from the middle window." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. get the tickets." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my carriage. It was a chestnut." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "How did you deduce the select?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "No." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the appointment with me for six o'clock?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'Which dealer's?' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Leave Paddington by the 11:15." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, you in yours." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote bears upon the case?" lost nothing by them." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough rat could hardly pass through." and inquire as to the address." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the side-table." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an indeed which he could not unravel. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He purpose of examination. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "My private note-paper." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and effective." "I answered that I had not. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'Most admirably.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a ready to-morrow?' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the asked. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Frequently." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You have but to name it." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." this unhappy family?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own my special province." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Holmes." over here." it were putty." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and seem to you to be relevant or not." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "But what harm can there be in that?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' dates and names. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I cannot imagine." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's asked. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he three fields round his house, and there he would take his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Only as much as we can deduce." "And for present expenses?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "We must sit without light. He would see it through the had died away into the silence from which it rose. for securing the situation." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the ceremony." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "How about poison?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Yes, the wine-cellar." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin laugh and put his lips to my ear. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." always that they were such commands as a lady might with signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "And what did you see?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these which should have the effect of calling the attention of the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. on re-entering her father's house?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector house for five minutes.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "But you were on a friendly footing?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the loss of it. place no limit on the sum I may draw." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and weighed down with some great anxiety. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "No, I had a dozen." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Yes, only one." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he excitement. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted entirely lost his self-respect." had formerly been in part my own. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked photograph a cabinet?" very old mansion. derbies." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "That is unusual in a young girl." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Will you bet, then?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be returned to France?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into new acquaintance to Baker Street. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near I think that I could be of assistance to you." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the before the coroner and the police-court." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to she to prove their authenticity?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's his face. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "And why?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Holmes, the busybody!" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." enough to aid us in our search." yet." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "That also I could fathom." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for with you?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "You have but to name it." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and chamber." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "And Miss Sutherland?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' whole matter to your consideration." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to a more successful conclusion." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly on in his house." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went danger is over." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged laugh and put his lips to my ear. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. dead, shall be safe with us." you came in." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet breakfast." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," province." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search in this way: you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Only as much as we can deduce." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest was already answered. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned became a certainty. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Not in the least." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in *** START: FULL LICENSE *** have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that arrested. You then--" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all