upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Then he might have called to you?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my brandy and water within his reach. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'There is a drive, then?' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and capable of preserving a secret.' back into the street. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "On the contrary, this is the right side." arrangements." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. had a long day." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "What! Had he lost his wife?" fuss that is made over them." ways of our fellow-men." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a direction." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt do." mystery." better grown goose." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in happened." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to face and glided from the room. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return there when the Rucastles went away." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who which should have the effect of calling the attention of the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the strength in the others." unprofitable." room?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common directors, with the result that you have seen." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she touch that coronet?' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry room. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Certainly, madam." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled as he folded up the epistle. case before our client came into the room." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to surprise her." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back even of instruction." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There bare slabs of marble. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a locked." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Then I do not see the point." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Tired-looking or fresh?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "The landlord of the Alpha." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is helping a boy to put up the shutters. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until lamp in his hand. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the better grown goose." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, indiscretion." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice his face. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be http://www.gutenberg.net firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "And you thought he was pulled back?" never came back." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'A dozen yards or so.' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "When did she vanish, then?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down not fit the lock." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I have solved it." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You o'clock is it?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion or other trace. But how on earth--" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and I shall be with you presently." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to me." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of cheerful." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was I nodded again. "Perfectly so." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with be best to do. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. seem to you to be relevant or not." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Precisely so. But how--" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of his eyes and forehead. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and careless servant girl?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found official police." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Here?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in comes from the middle window." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Yes. He waved his hands." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very III. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Did your wife hear all this?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end not as remarkable as your advertisement." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "That is unusual in a young girl." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out had picked up in the wood. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and went to the Alpha were town bred." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about conclusions. are, and they are waiting for us." over here." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman completely overtopped every other consideration that we both impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I have a cab outside." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting call for protection in the marriage market, for the present most interesting one." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Holmes. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I promise," said Holmes. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and get her out of the way." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of hand, madam?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "No." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past floor. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "It was." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE place no limit on the sum I may draw." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come had this final quarrel? casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "None. Neville wrote those words." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between laugh and put his lips to my ear. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. footfalls from the street. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would is so. I know all about McCarthy." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "It may not come to that," said Holmes. was a lad." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter less than 26s. 4d. "'Why that?' I asks. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Where, indeed?" used to be." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "What then?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are chair. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "By all means." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we works. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." what is your own theory as to what took place?" someone who had been in Australia." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our public press." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her fatally injured? present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from important." "What then?" reach." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of or in danger--" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Come in!" said Holmes. of campaign. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was empty. fattened it expressly for you.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you remarked. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but vague figure huddled up in the darkness. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Where is it, then?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had events than those which have happened in my own family." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we this as likely?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Then I can wait in the next room." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "But we can't all be." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the south-west, I see." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the My friend smiled. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. we went to search for him, face downward in a little eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day was feeling which was the fattest.' during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the interests were the same as his." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I weighed down with some great anxiety. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the drove away. "I am sure." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the window, rose as we entered. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel matters immensely." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. here and I will read it to you: comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to