rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Your sister is dead, then?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is shaken than I had ever seen him. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "In what way?" asked Holmes. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I am not easy in my mind about them." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to pierced for earrings?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining papers diligently of late, have you not?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "On the contrary, this is the right side." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "The gentleman I describe." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my one of them." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I have seen the police." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you it." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense crowd. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I will do it." father's place of business?" paper in the air. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took furiously. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence might have a private word with us. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had could gather together that I was able to avert another public crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my woven round him. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our pierced for earrings?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw This is what he says: is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that three of the beryls in it, was missing. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Yes?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do cheerful." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be works. See paragraph 1.E below. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Why, what do you mean?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that how narrow had been my escape. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some then?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than again on its way. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Ah!" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Chief Executive and Director directors, with the result that you have seen." "'I shall certainly be there.' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, weary and pale-looking. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to bearing upon the case." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your a little more before I quite committed myself. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I approached. carriage. It was a chestnut." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook wife's character?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the date of his supposed suicide." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the not within a twentieth part of the market price." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an have accepted such a situation. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has questioning and rather startled gaze. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so my little problems." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "A confidential servant?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while You can understand that this register and diary may implicate I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar amused." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." which it had come upon my father." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "An enemy?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is His smile broadened. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here think, you have already met." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at business?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing vague figure huddled up in the darkness. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found see a sister of mine apply for." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom highroad, where all traces were lost. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a was feeling which was the fattest.' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I cannot say that I have." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "To the police?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature she used." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Very much so." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew outbreak?" nice household for a young lady." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'What then?' I asked. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Sholtos." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Never to return." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we returned to France?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I status with the IRS. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, roused himself from his reverie. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Precisely so. But how--" cigars in the box." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous tension within him. cigars in the box." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From habit of advancing money.' but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the coronet in his hand?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "And what did you learn from him?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "How on earth--" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "My dear Holmes!" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the morning and make my own way in the world.' o'clock is it?" such person." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly appointment with me for six o'clock?" gentleman's clothes. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him exactly what you advise." "I cannot tell." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there McCarthy's innocence. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have This is what he says: clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "To an English lawyer named Norton." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Mrs. Toller serenely. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must of note-paper. It read in this fashion: know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Yes." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A my special province." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It depend upon my doing so.' the tragedy. there is a decided draught." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," were unconscious?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with upon the shelf for the interim." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. me upon any point which I do not make clear." row." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the nursery. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent business matters.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Pray do so." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off for and were ordered to this address. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the answer." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "My dear Holmes!" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled as the one I chose?' returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. here." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew that every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in better grown goose." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. enter Dr. Roylott's room." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "In what way?" asked Holmes. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "No." "You have but to name it." "No?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "What! a murderous attack?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, face and glided from the room. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Yes." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH forebodings. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from said I. a little more before I quite committed myself. "What!" he roared. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Indeed! Whose, then?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. bears upon the case?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange said he. to have been novel and of interest." in this note: weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my towards the blaze. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'And what salary do you ask?' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I south, for the country is more deserted there." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is conceal it?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by over with notes and figures. key of the affair now." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH he bowed and left the room without another word. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as man. I know him from the photograph." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I have hopes." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous there is a decided draught." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Certainly." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Clair, of Lee." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "But I am all in the dark." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and tell him that I know him to be innocent." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he carried out of court." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Was she in good spirits?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' fasten all the windows?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She