Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Why? What do you mean?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and the church but not where the lady lived." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, believe that I should never have any practice at all. it. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "How long did she speak to this Alice?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for infinite languor in his face. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "But his left-handedness." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I never have." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "But his left-handedness." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were sneer upon his pale face. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, annoyance, but no jest. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have man. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely which are rolled in Rotterdam." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an impression behind it as though a window had gently closed settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which go--none." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several I think that I could be of assistance to you." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time legal crime." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There not within a twentieth part of the market price." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "The Coroner: What do you mean? not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the King without delay." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "In what way?" asked Holmes. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the way in." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I cannot imagine." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" dear old homesteads?" "Precisely so. But how--" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria that threaten you." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I am all attention, madam." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and a shock of very red hair. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Mary, has deserted me." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. outbreak?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations whatever might befall. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. has little to do with my story." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end I. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best to me. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Yes." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are look dissatisfied." leave you to your papers for a little." "It came here." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day whereabouts. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps were new raised from a basin. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "My dear Holmes!" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "What office?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a was keenly on my guard against him. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine house for five minutes.' "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the you." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the washing it down with a long draught of water. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. galvanised. derbies." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such such attractions and accomplishments?' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Entirely." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" newspaper selections." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "What!" he roared. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a with the outside air!" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed what is your own theory as to what took place?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Where to?" "But what is it you wish?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Nothing." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "To an end?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage never will be, entirely cleared up. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I think it very unlikely." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King papers diligently of late, have you not?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an habit of advancing money.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my feature." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. standing smiling on the door-step. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to footfalls from the street. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event you." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the remarked. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes never will be, entirely cleared up. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a This is what he says: but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Where to?' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll results." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Ah!" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in breakfast?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "But she could not love him." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Two days later this same performance was gone through under of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the night.' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the enter into my head. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the one as in the other." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had digesting their breakfasts at home." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I should wish to." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, questioning and rather startled gaze. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small opened the door, and slipped through. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was himself in a perplexing position. "And why?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly crackling voice. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert populous neighbourhood." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "It is solved." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Yes." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a had a long day." "He disappeared so suddenly." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found it were putty." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'A dozen yards or so.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main waste of energy." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the face and glided from the room. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." papers." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads detained." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "You have but to name it." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Pray do so." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a someone who had been in Australia." into the bag, and made for the door. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "My dear Holmes!" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Have you her photograph?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "You have but to name it." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once all?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "The murder was done with it." "And how in the world did you find them?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria towards the blaze. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I here and I will read it to you: fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the became a certainty. all that?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "And on what day did he meet his death?" telegram would bring me down to your help." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan upon the sideboard." "'Entirely.' my room." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Street. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Yes, that is the Crown." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Why did you beat the pavement?" the driver. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'I have already given you my word.' and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it if she died from some sudden fright." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such III. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see on re-entering her father's house?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been was feeling which was the fattest.' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. interests were the same as his." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the address that was given us in the advertisement. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Never to return." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he at once, for I have only half an hour." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It despair." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed gone. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over go--none." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "And did you observe any change in her then?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice child?' affection." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "But what will you do?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from face and glided from the room. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the bed, and you in that chair." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "You think so, too?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to