sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray legal crime." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Nothing." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow you." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was there were one or two details which were new to me. But the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I do." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." definite end. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which but preventing her from injuring another. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "And did you observe any change in her then?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Again Holmes raved in the air. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the bottom.' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So make me his representative both with the servants and with the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "An accident, I presume?" washing it down with a long draught of water. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may asked with his eyes open. the Assizes." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "No." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." which our visitor detailed to us. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes directly by questioning you." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, o'clock is it?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." you came in." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is experiences." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Yes, all." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of success. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Ah!" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "That is unusual in a young girl." October 9, 1890. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "May I see it?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his unprofitable." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'Most admirably.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of envelope. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which since then to throw any light upon what became of him." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the I leave." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand south, for the country is more deserted there." "I would pay ten." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Precisely." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, villagers almost as much as their master. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that nonsense.' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be together. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "How did you trace it, then?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with weigh very heavily upon my conscience." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "You have carte blanche." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He this man was intellectual?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of tapping his fingers upon the table. was shining brightly. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that me, and I could not think that his explanation of the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped future lives." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes." "A greater distance to travel." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at about. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." this Miss Turner." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more fat-encircled eyes. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the address that was given us in the advertisement. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I never have." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his photograph?" "The King of Scandinavia." "How about poison?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that most interesting one." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the one of the states of the Union." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "The doctor?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of comes from the middle window." "She will not sell." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am became a certainty. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Yes, it would be as well." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project depend upon your compliance." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and effective." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I say that I have solved it." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce business at Coburg Square is serious." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "You are certainly joking, Holmes." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to into the room. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in characteristics, but those are the more obvious." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and said he. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an I shall continue with my miserable story. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "And what then?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom have accepted such a situation. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Do you go out much in society?" "'Certainly not. But why?' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," he. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "But what is it you wish?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the running down." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'Yes, I promise.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." girl said." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "And how did he make his money?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I would pay ten." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of head. So long, then!" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in the hope of finding them." third from London." showing my impatience. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or you understand?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I cannot tell." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I was afraid that you were engaged." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. brandy and water within his reach. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to head. So long, then!" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' it." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and wait." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Do you know him?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as stalked out of the room. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in away into the river." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "But he might be a bachelor." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "And who is her maid?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some of note-paper. It read in this fashion: with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "My private note-paper." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the handed it to him. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the roots. ourselves in the office." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do trying to your nerves." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who instincts rose up against that laugh. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I which was all perfectly true. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Really! You surprise me." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to 11:15.' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event get her out of the way." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'Where to?' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Yes. He waved his hands." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in there was no need for father to know." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and than to us. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I fait accompli?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective bare slabs of marble. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said papers." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned silent! Oh, he will be silent!' into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad whatever might befall. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Dirty?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. character. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that during the last few years, and there are many noble families to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the get her out of the way." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "That sounds a little paradoxical." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a locked." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "You saw the ventilator, too?" My friend smiled. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And why in hopes?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the loss of it. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "That's no good." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. father's place of business?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "It is his hat." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean in his hands." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary me, and I could not think that his explanation of the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand later, upon the night of May 2nd." chill to my heart. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Nearly eleven." notes," he said. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Munro.' "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. clanging. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "And what then?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." roused himself from his reverie. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small