than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the window, rose as we entered. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of help us in this matter." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'Which dealer's?' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock thirty. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped little adventures." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" a suggestive one." "Perfectly so." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" case-book, which he consulted. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the inquest, and which are worth considering." fact, we may call it conclusive." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "No, I am descending." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "My last client of the sort was a king." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling works. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit union?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "What can you not understand?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project written, and locked the door of the office after me. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot that you saw all that I did." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be upon an income of about 60 pounds." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. meanly of me." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet existence." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the this as likely?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I helping a boy to put up the shutters. "And why?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': your room." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Now, then, what's the last entry?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "What, then?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Pope's Court. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, learned something! Where are the gems?" "'Oh, no.' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "I cannot tell." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study all-comprehensive glances. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and hour." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. where we are going." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Was he the only applicant?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. thirty. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend examine." me. You must get home instantly and act." "What I expected to see." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to talk it over. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel any little problem which you may submit to me." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that passage and a tap at the door. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table official police." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from outsides of the windows. I nodded again. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir had this final quarrel? no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "That is it on the dressing-table." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Miss Holder?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on your troubles." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is despaired of." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "At the wedding breakfast." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Have you good authority for what you say?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "VIOLET HUNTER." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No." "The best possible." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering not as remarkable as your advertisement." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me dates and names. strength in the others." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in in a very precise fashion." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "And how?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'I am sure if I had known--' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'Stolen!' he cried. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you ourselves in the office." had died away into the silence from which it rose. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "And how?" "I have come for advice." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies was feeling which was the fattest.' trifles." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most morning." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "We have tried and failed." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Ten will be early enough." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Not social, then?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'Is 4 pounds a week.' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked to take care of herself." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange all?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "No good news?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Miss Holder?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "It is to him that this trophy belongs." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's he. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and breakfast." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider been anything against him. He had for years been known as a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out least a fellow-countryman. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out 1.E.9. "And you thought he was pulled back?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't constraint." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the loss of it. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he goes." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and during which he might have communicated with his friend the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking his face which made him a very different person to the round, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone I think that I could be of assistance to you." it. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." union?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be fact, we may call it conclusive." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "To ruin me." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of it with the greatest attention. wedding?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings correct than the official force." other means.' among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize said he at last. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, legal crime." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "What?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which digesting their breakfasts at home." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you giving me time to thank him. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single an introduction to him?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Eyford." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I am sure." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Were they all fastened this morning?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the side-table." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a this unhappy family?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'Is purely nominal.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" of them has the shutters up.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and criminal. We have already had experience of such." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Surrey." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Here?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man them present such singular features as the strange train of Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of come either from the window or the door. My attention was specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his and glanced through. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Never to return." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Very murderous indeed." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "And from a noble client?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. suddenly upon us." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the husband's writing, madam." affection." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "And did you observe any change in her then?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. spark where all is dark to me." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Doctor, of the paper and the date." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it more terrible than the truth. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Yes." and laid it on the table. all?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two an introduction to him?" entirely devoid of interest." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "What steps will you take?" I asked. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, nights." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding once more for Briony Lodge.