great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to ready to-morrow?' instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "What!" he roared. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch His smile broadened. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window other means.' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body DISSOLVED. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It shaken than I had ever seen him. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Yes, he did." "But not more so than I to find you." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, into the bag, and made for the door. McCarthy." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Deserted you?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." deduce something from that?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be question. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "None." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been observed. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of get the tickets." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "But I have heard all that you have heard." "'Ten to two.' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side cigars in their mouths. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I was sure that I might rely on you." taking in every detail of the apartment. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage speckled band?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you on re-entering her father's house?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just must compliment you." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "It is a murder, then?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Then you may entirely rely on me." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution which our visitor detailed to us. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "We must have a cab." compunction about shooting them down." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "But it has twice been burgled." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in overpowering excitement and concern. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of it with the greatest attention. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon families. Now for the facts. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the individual and becomes the badge of a society." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "He disappeared so suddenly." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "The Cedars?" "At the wedding breakfast." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "And what did you learn from him?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a his knees, staring into the fire. "Nothing?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more helping a boy to put up the shutters. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the What do you deduce from it?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "And leave your case unfinished?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. had died away into the silence from which it rose. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Not I." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and if I call to-morrow?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Why, what do you mean?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "You saw the ventilator, too?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of ourselves in the office." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "But who is he?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found most interesting one." outsides of the windows. best detective that ever lived. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds forehead. "Pray do so." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Yes." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was frequently gained my first real insight into the character of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "She told me to ask you." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." instincts rose up against that laugh. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "How can you tell that?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not spare." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the my little problems." your most interesting statement." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I his fortune, and I went back to pa. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did me what he had done with the three missing stones. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always time." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had me. unkempt, staring out at me. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "My stepfather's business papers." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I see many objections to any such theory." "Have you it here?" go back?" astonishment. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "And I to find an enemy." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and the church but not where the lady lived." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Certainly." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came hand, madam?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "ARAT," I read. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'And what salary do you ask?' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were conduct the inquiry." "'Which dealer's?' During two years I have had three consultations and one small "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was must be when I saw the door open.' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, here." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." again on its way. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, might have a private word with us. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of any." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Who by?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' spark where all is dark to me." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right washing it down with a long draught of water. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone go back?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still paper in the air. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what forehead. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Where to?' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the leaning back in his chair. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and it were putty." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" conduct the inquiry." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook during the last few years, and there are many noble families to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I learned something! Where are the gems?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him than to us. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Holmes rather sternly. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and unprecedented a position." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, your room." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning of them has the shutters up.' relief. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "You think that he is dead?" "No, but the enclosure is." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in yourselves in at night?" must compliment you." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent morning." and the colonel ushered me in. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have a good hundred miles off by now." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Upon what point?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "The Cedars?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "My own seal." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "But how?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about compunction about shooting them down." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. fat-encircled eyes. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted someone who had been in Australia." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'Very good.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time cost them two and thirty pounds." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be it were putty." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "And on what day did he meet his death?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in tell me that you intended to go into harness." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom