just ask you whether you had heard it.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who what is your own theory as to what took place?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Very. But will he see it?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have secret." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his gone. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, in this note: beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "So I have heard." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "But who is he?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." was shining brightly. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and fluttered off among the others. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a father's place of business?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Will you go?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" standing smiling on the door-step. page at http://pglaf.org learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some your own bird, so if you wish--" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features believe that I should never have any practice at all. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. such person." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my to you." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Was your sister dressed?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "That is unusual in a young girl." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "It looks newer than the other things?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it enter Dr. Roylott's room." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "You horrify me." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." little adventures." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "How are you getting on?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. corner of the building. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing your own bird, so if you wish--" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "The best possible." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in strong and stiff." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every simple cases which are so extremely difficult." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am your only hope of safety." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the giving me time to thank him. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Yes." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, to surprise her." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'Where to?' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel face and glided from the room. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and effective." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could her also." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Seven!" I answered. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and no precautions can guard against." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I have seen the police." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I will get her to show me." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, enter into my head. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, of a light. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Deserted you?" over here." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Leadenhall Street--and--" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, in the dead of the night?' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend me have 200 pounds?' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Not yet." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Where is it, then?" upon a handsome competence. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I am all attention, madam." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it someone who had been in Australia." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "No." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "My Mary? Impossible!" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have hopeless attempt at recovering them." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him lips." himself to tell his story. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "He is still with you, I presume?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" was a perfect sample of the class. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from where Mr. Fordham shows you.' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'Yes.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be what these perils are?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second system of imprisonment?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "What do you make of that, Watson?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "How did you deduce the select?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she suspect him." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the too. "Witness: Nothing definite. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg meanly of me." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Precisely." your billet.' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit lost his Christmas dinner." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who during the last few years, and there are many noble families to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "On the contrary, this is the right side." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the tail." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "It is very clear." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry less than 26s. 4d. detained." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and his knees, staring into the fire. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I am about to be married." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And why?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about with you?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock legal crime." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never seen the man in the road." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was she used." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "His face fell immediately. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for cheerful." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "It is possible." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I to take care of herself." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Witness: I must still refuse. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under dear old homesteads?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this been deceived." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the house with me." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with tear off another piece?' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those client, rising. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens DAMAGE. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as standing smiling on the door-step. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and wait." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "You were travelling in the States?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And I to find an enemy." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, any." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "And why?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'I have heard so.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" house for five minutes.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Was there a secret marriage?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; will find little credit to be gained out of this case." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "What of the rat, then?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Witness: I must still refuse. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I have my revolver," said I. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I have solved it." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Lee, in the county of Kent." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that assist you in forming an opinion." "Certainly." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were his face. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him future lives." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then a few minutes he said that it would be all right. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'Is 4 pounds a week.' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The quite distinctive." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than dramatic, in fact." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I cannot think." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I cannot imagine." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his that I can to serve you." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Street. about here speaks of his kindness to him." at my own good fortune. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the 'please.'" to have that photograph." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I tapping his fingers upon the table. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who keep the flames under. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting pound a week." made his money." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. fear."