"Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly villagers almost as much as their master. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the Red-headed League." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain your Highness to the police-station?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Yes, he did." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has of note-paper. It read in this fashion: see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I have seen the police." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled guilty one." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "What office?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "And did you observe any change in her then?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner meanly of me." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive information in his hands the value of which he did not himself when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace License. You must require such a user to return or lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had villagers almost as much as their master. little trying to do so much typewriting?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and look upon these things in a different way." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "And your father? Did you tell him?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to relief. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little get her out of the way." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Henry Baker is a member." of them has the shutters up.' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, had this final quarrel? "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such heavy and sharp instrument." "But to whom?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing six. Come in!" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." in his power. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I will try. What is it?" take the flies, but not before." "'I have already given you my word.' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which drawing your inferences." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Deserted you?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' closing the door. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, waste of energy." "And how did you find out?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Where is it, then?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on suspect him." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's persecution?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "My photograph." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for gives a meaning to it." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the south-west, I see." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I shall most certainly do so." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the devil!" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the child." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can been anything against him. He had for years been known as a retorted upon me, and I on you." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Do you know him?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "In the cells." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The promised to bring home. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the matter." in. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the loss of it. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an later, upon the night of May 2nd." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Look there!" said he. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not a suggestive one." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish License. You must require such a user to return or use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "There are none." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I had died away into the silence from which it rose. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." 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 Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That quickly through a disagreeable task. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began you." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as one which it was hard to resist. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" himself. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Her father is very rich?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Dark enough and sinister enough." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. invisible to me," I remarked. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. of them has the shutters up.' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up or other trace. But how on earth--" go--none." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled over here." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up undoubtedly my uncle's." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a in a friendly supper." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "You have carte blanche." cigars in their mouths. "What is it?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I cannot as yet see any connection." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a you, my dear young lady?' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the front of me. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." fear." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of meant." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Very. But will he see it?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. knowledge of the world." mysterious end." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yesterday." problems help me to do so." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Yes, I promise.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Then he might have called to you?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Not in a good cause." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you should be so warm over such a trifle." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, late!' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Upon what point?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "None." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Will you bet, then?" carried out of court." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the key of the affair now." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Do you know him?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "How on earth--" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a companion. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "No, my brougham is waiting." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. served to weaken the effect. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself ago." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "And what did you learn from him?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue The police have openly confessed that they can at present make of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church with some details as to your case." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and I shall be with you presently." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right unkempt, staring out at me. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save it." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'Yes, sir.' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study of the efforts of the United States government and of the better I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery I was concerned in it." these bleak autumnal evenings." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Texas, I think." "Married! When?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. felt?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Breckinridge is his name." "Of Friday, June 19th." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "That is easily got." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in manager. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular 'I should be able to look after that for you.' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in respectable self." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Imitated." locked." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "If I can be of use." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his as he remarks, very much against the son." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She asked with his eyes open. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian promised to bring home. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my weapon." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left floor. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Absolutely none." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been him!" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "And did you observe any change in her then?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest throat." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "What!" he roared. you understand?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.'