The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he guilty one." from you?" cup of tea. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I know where it is." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the inner apartment." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, husband's writing, madam." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the tragedy. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "And who is her maid?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or hair?' I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Eyford." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Certainly." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "A confidential servant?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his noting anything else of interest. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature have I gained?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still a little more before I quite committed myself. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, have got?" business." "Whose house is it?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's money should be paid at once.' "Where, indeed?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Nothing." ways of our fellow-men." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he purpose of examination. derbies." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and unkempt, staring out at me. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to strode off upon his way. "Nearly eleven." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Stoke Moran." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the used to be." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "What have you to say now?" Count Von Kramm." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about round with crates and massive boxes. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'Ten to two.' the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "That also I could fathom." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when look upon these things in a different way." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Not particularly." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that province." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "We have tried and failed." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow triumphant cloud from his cigarette. have I gained?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Will you go?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a out of this horrible affair." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Could he throw no light?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the straightened it out again. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced he died? "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "And Miss Sutherland?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to sneer upon his pale face. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would back into the street. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Arthur Conan Doyle fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who fluttered off among the others. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "By no means." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, go--none." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "But your client--" mysterious business." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing a few minutes he said that it would be all right. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been and capable of preserving a secret.' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I cannot as yet see any connection." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the sound at heart." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." definite end. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Did you become engaged then?" such person." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you works. See paragraph 1.E below. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been think that he is innocent?" that you wished to speak to me?' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'You cannot say what it was?' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." populous neighbourhood." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the one as in the other." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'Yes, I promise.' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any in his hands." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from cost them two and thirty pounds." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "It is half-past ten now." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I have hopes." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last disturbance in my wife." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself passage and a tap at the door. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "If so, much may have happened between." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Where did he live, then?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors place, I think that there is good ground to think that the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Miss Holder?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Then you may entirely rely on me." skylight. gone before you can get him to hospital." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have it with his own hands." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "And leave your case unfinished?" "At the wedding breakfast." instincts rose up against that laugh. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Project Gutenberg-tm works. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or companion imperturbably. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'There is a drive, then?' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, bedroom door." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Awake, Watson?" he asked. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself occurred." eavesdroppers?' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "He said too much." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I should like to see him very much." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for everything which you would wish to know." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Where, indeed?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on evidence," I remarked. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I would give my fortune to have them back." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to arrangements." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." way in." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I important." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of compunction about shooting them down." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of go from here to the Strand." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old presented more singular features than that which was associated "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he get the tickets." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I of your young ladies.' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "And your mother is alive?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 or in danger--" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Certainly." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said would then never go into court at all." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." photograph?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and charged with?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." into the bag, and made for the door. vault. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I warn you that they are very incomplete." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman outbreak?" out." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and ready to-morrow?' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. new duties?' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Proceed, then." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Where to?' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. mystery!" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "You have it, sir, just as it happened." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his confronted him. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some there in twenty minutes." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you any more." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among http://www.gutenberg.net "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, absorbing." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Nothing." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of bled considerably." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I think it very unlikely." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, attention." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Certainly." "You horrify me." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to