frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the coroner come to?" invisible to me," I remarked. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I should like to see him very much." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. if she died from some sudden fright." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed in a friendly supper." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your morning." "Of what?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "No." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be matter." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, whether it answered to the description of any of their and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this good-night and bustled off upon her way. business came to an end." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "And now?" I asked. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "VIOLET HUNTER." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You saw the ventilator, too?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you them, and came down just as you departed. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I my special province." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Your sister is dead, then?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend I shall continue with my miserable story. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "And what then?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Certainly." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure awaited us upon the table. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. to have that photograph." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big British peeress.'" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is humiliation." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, what do you think they found in the pockets?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as careless servant girl?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a yards of it?' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, business." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that could go. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "None. Neville wrote those words." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "On your arm?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have intrusion of other matters." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "How can you tell that?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Was your sister dressed?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Yes, sir.' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Not yet." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing there in twenty minutes." "Yes." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, we went to search for him, face downward in a little other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Bought." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of people don't know." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa morning." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Has he come with you to-night?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the she to prove their authenticity?" "9th. McCauley cleared. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'I have heard so.' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the salesman. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect noting anything else of interest. it were putty." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "It is half-past ten now." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And you can do nothing until then?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything was lame." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "We were both in the photograph." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. of receipt of the work. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "He said that you could solve anything." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged there is a decided draught." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and laid it on the table. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I carpenter." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Holmes' thin, eager face. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. I am not easy in my mind about them." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Your sister is dead, then?" your co-operation." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "But how?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I bird of prey. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman must compliment you." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Pray do so." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to even so self-evident a thing as that." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales all-comprehensive glances. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. passage and a tap at the door. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative there were so many in the whole country as were brought together than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "And Miss Sutherland?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'Certainly not. But why?' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it developed." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" redistribution. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he read over the extraordinary announcement. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "No." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." digesting their breakfasts at home." that I can to serve you." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "And how?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Yes." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Pray continue your narrative." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my have had none more fantastic than this." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight made him keep the appointment." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "'Stolen!' he cried. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that License. You must require such a user to return or brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make friend's singular character. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the himself to tell his story. "No legal papers or certificates?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I will try. What is it?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "And what did you learn from him?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of kind enough to tell me what I should do." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" placed his cuttings. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Only as much as we can deduce." what I may call a really hard day's work." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which to-night?' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised sentimental considerations in the background which would induce outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Holmes' thin, eager face. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers answer." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the King without delay." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to Leatherhead. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he ago." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you conduct the inquiry." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in handed it to him. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's eavesdroppers?' own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" hair?' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face their singular warning or token before them when starting upon right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the ceiling. voice. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage if she died from some sudden fright." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for as he folded up the epistle. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a occupations.' run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say words came to my lips. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a direction." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the it with his own hands." "'And the work?' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug at a side door. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "She will not sell." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner again on its way. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many of Mr. Rucastle's." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for thin, with a long, sharp nose?" gone. rooms." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "What! You do not mean bodies?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "And I." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the his wife has ceased to love him." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Do you know him?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did answer." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its think that he is innocent?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Doctor, of the paper and the date." daring than any effort of the imagination." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Nothing?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our