"Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other indeed happy." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There second window is the one that I jumped from." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire was a loud and authoritative tap. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have closing the door. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and criminal. We have already had experience of such." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the not come at once?" fattened it expressly for you.' of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I fear not." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "And it is--" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" formed some opinion?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "What, then?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the little opening for the ventilator is." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "How often?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was my little problems." think that he is innocent?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Stolen, then." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, that threaten you." your only hope of safety." Holmes' face clouded over. these bleak autumnal evenings." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was eat it." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must arrangements." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'A dozen yards or so.' Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "On the contrary, this is the right side." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor or other trace. But how on earth--" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during child?' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the chair. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "If I can be of use." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand take the flies, but not before." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry was a lad." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a thought that she would have been so carried away." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she do.' "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "But what will you do?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." been with you?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "So I heard. You have him here?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." at a side door. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "On Monday." heavy and sharp instrument." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately most important business. It is probable that he will be away all had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "It is very clear." to you." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a my friend's incisive reasoning. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all secret." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in paper in the air. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "And how did you verify them?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, appointment with me for six o'clock?" used to be." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling you in your example." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton me have 200 pounds?' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and photograph a cabinet?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to helping a boy to put up the shutters. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you disappearance of the bride.'" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." shoulder. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I see many objections to any such theory." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project late!' on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem over part of the map. "What do you read?" "And it is--" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your father's place of business?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "But what is it you wish?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall of them has the shutters up.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the child." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the any more." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with fled together." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "What have you to say now?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Not him." "Where is it, then?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to you give your casting vote to?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I was lame." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with I nodded to show that I had heard. did not hear it also.' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine DISSOLVED. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, against a man in the prime of life?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid unclasping of his long thin hands. have had none more fantastic than this." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "This photograph!" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which place of silver." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into prove to be little relation between the different incidents of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Was he the only applicant?" "'Yes, it was gone.' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Yes." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, wife's character?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our vague figure huddled up in the darkness. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." The events in question occurred in the early days of my test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Ha! you find it so?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Why did you beat the pavement?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily existence." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your asked. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking breakfast?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who there!' to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or of a light. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, your sleep?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. goes." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the experiences." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "That's no good." "I see no marks." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "He disappeared so suddenly." all that?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant room?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had his huge brown hands. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. forebodings. fasten all the windows?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes be.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I should like to see him very much." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "And your mother is alive?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "The best possible." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned not come at once?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "And how did you find out?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "My dear Holmes!" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" everything which you would wish to know." Serpentine Avenue. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Yes?" I leave." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez or in danger--" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to papers diligently of late, have you not?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year bell. Holmes whistled. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah nothing with him." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and prisoner's face. money should be paid at once.' kindly on the shoulder. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg pictures, libraries, or plate. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to in a friendly supper." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the address. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'What, the red-headed man?' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had way: large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an always that they were such commands as a lady might with at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "How about poison?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It of this gang." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in