the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "But not more so than I to find you." "Won't it ring?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. was a lad." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Mrs. Toller serenely. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always what these perils are?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Nothing." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on States. kind enough to tell me what I should do." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Absolutely?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Where is it, then?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "And it is--" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Mrs. Toller serenely. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "It may not come to that," said Holmes. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I have come for advice." interest. They are important, you understand, without being January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite several quiet little villages up there." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Ha! you find it so?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Not social, then?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really populous neighbourhood." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to that you wished to speak to me?' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you The events in question occurred in the early days of my stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they point our research must commence, and we will begin it by single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to to have that photograph." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and your billet.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Could he throw no light?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson locked. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. ran thus: allusion to a rat. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential against a man in the prime of life?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Did you observe the colour?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the call you and give you the chance." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. window when the police appeared." know what is wrong with it.' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that indiscretion." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Sutherland. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager developed." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. was not a bird to be seen there. "And you can do nothing until then?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, confronted him. morning." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be 1.F. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own little trying to do so much typewriting?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair this unhappy family?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he must compliment you." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Seven!" I answered. "Dark enough and sinister enough." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "ARAT," I read. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Yes." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. hardly wander." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "He said that you could solve anything." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it not use it unless it is absolutely needed." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Witness: I must still refuse. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor bled considerably." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which someone who had been in Australia." charge against him will break down." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course seven miles from Eyford Station.' "A call for help, you thought?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an which are rolled in Rotterdam." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that nonsense.' the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "And leave your case unfinished?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set or in danger--" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or My friend smiled. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up conclusions. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be washing it down with a long draught of water. "Dark enough and sinister enough." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Pray do so." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more here and I will read it to you: Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "BALLARAT." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "No." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. like that before?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about you." tell him that I know him to be innocent." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems nothing with him." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of chill to my heart. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" ourselves in the office." "I fear not." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's breakfast and whispered something to her husband. he died? "'Very good.' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I copied or distributed: with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Was she in good spirits?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "No." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Did your wife hear all this?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a have got?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "What can it mean?" I gasped. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Yes, there are nearly always some there." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'And what salary do you ask?' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. derbies." "You know me, then?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue interests were the same as his." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'Oh, no.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a all-comprehensive glances. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander stepfather?" pound a week." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would mysterious end." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside other, as fresh and trim as possible. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "You did not overhear what they said?" points to suicide?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a breakfast." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up lumber-room." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their outside. ourselves in the office." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is occupations.' right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to a light-house. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step gone before you can get him to hospital." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a touch that coronet?' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. made him keep the appointment." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "And how did he make his money?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back just ask you whether you had heard it.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried hereditary King of Bohemia." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy crime. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three observed. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet not personally threatened." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. congenial hunt. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits thought that she would have been so carried away." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Never." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits be there in time for your coming." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's meant." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it use an arc-and-compass breastpin." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which any little problem which you may submit to me." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, you for a few hours?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Whose house is it?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be directly by questioning you." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "There is the writing." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have habit of advancing money.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I shall most certainly do so." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, assist you in forming an opinion." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a fled together." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation his grey eyes. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'Yes.' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of within hail.'