vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "And on what day did he meet his death?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case place no limit on the sum I may draw." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Not I." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the other lovers by making love himself." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "It looks newer than the other things?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making was not a bird to be seen there. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Do you go out much in society?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of families. Now for the facts. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door of a light. child?' "Did your wife hear all this?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I shall be delighted." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little to surprise her." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Who by?" "Yes." page at http://pglaf.org find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I assure you that I am in your hands." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship it right.' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "How on earth--" to talk it over. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance acted in my house last night?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that union?" trifles." "You have the photograph?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his papers on the sundial.'" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "To an end?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "And how have you succeeded?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought one of them." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may yards of it?' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout have got?" system of imprisonment?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "You have a clue?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I was mad--insane." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be roused himself from his reverie. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that situation." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most knowledge of the world." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. away to you." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Have you her photograph?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you yards of it?' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried quite distinctive." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a it." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior come either from the window or the door. My attention was or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can with you?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "How often?" "I would pay ten." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Cross for the Continent." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I tell me that you intended to go into harness." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to wedding?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the there in twenty minutes." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. observed. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, delirious. future lives." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." stepfather?" "I came to find a friend." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Holmes' room. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, be. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I showing my impatience. "There are none." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you it." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, be.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me fashion which was peculiar to him. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "But you would not advise me to refuse?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love me where it went to?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "But she could not love him." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, for securing the situation." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all address. think that any burglar could have done. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us at a side door. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards are, I think, all that we need." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "His face fell immediately. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no forehead. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done girl said." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know mysterious end." "Precisely." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come to-night's adventure." Farm upon the left." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of started for the Temple to see my husband. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent there were so many in the whole country as were brought together felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our entirely devoid of interest." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and round and wave him away like that.' "It surprised me." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made upon an income of about 60 pounds." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "No, I had a dozen." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices my former friend and companion. IS a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the nursery. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building envelope. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he written. you in your example." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I that?' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch guilty parties." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his which was all perfectly true. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "But she will refuse." if only as a check to my own memory." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see could go. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to go into your room and bar your shutters?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Have you good authority for what you say?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are have established a very serious case against the son of the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your if only as a check to my own memory." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power felt?" "But who is he?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to this as likely?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Then, how do you know?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in his power. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I possible that we could bring him back to her? are, and they are waiting for us." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged said I. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings enter Dr. Roylott's room." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "But how did you gain them?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this believe that I should never have any practice at all. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "But I have heard all that you have heard." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So stepfather?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. fattened it expressly for you.' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" morning." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "What then?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which again." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as garden below. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "It surprised me." "She told me to ask you." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in that you wished to speak to me?' amused." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "No. What a strange idea!" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Yes." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" of it with the greatest attention. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He habit of advancing money.' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Then you may entirely rely on me." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I am sure." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for habit of advancing money.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In walking." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. generous with you in money matters.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "But his left-handedness." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "What! You do not mean bodies?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out him to be an active member of the medical profession." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, hour." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the matter?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the coroner come to?" "Yes, but only for you and me." there when the Rucastles went away." "Where, indeed?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and