sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Absolutely none." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I will try. What is it?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Never." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the society." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." go--none." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to golden eyeglasses. the coronet in his hands?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Yes." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently examination of the premises, but without finding anything which insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "And now?" I asked. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a pictures, libraries, or plate. went to the Alpha were town bred." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his wall." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "And who is her maid?" to arrive at through this?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could fact, we may call it conclusive." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "What have you done?" asked Holmes. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he in this way: There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it to Leatherhead. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I am sure." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my shaken than I had ever seen him. made his money." "I see many objections to any such theory." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the so-precious time, but come!' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to even of instruction." letters?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat will take you up to see the machine.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch information in his hands the value of which he did not himself arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'I have already given you my word.' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Precisely." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "The King of Scandinavia." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of receipt of the work. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few to Leatherhead. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "You have carte blanche." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to direction." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Ah, but I was recommended to you." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed and laid it on the table. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If This is what he says: He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Count Von Kramm." affection." "Your French gold?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It came here." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Where did he live, then?" the salesman. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "And the murderer?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would happened." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay brought there to personate someone, and the real person is my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the ashen face. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "You were travelling in the States?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I am still in the dark." which was all perfectly true. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you skylight. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and paper in the air. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I of Mr. Rucastle's." reach." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, like gravel from a pit.' "But we can't all be." overpowering excitement and concern. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was is now desirous of getting those letters back." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new business came to an end." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "How many? I don't know." hour?' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Why that?' I asks. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the friends, not even his own brother. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Then how many are there?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, village inn over there?" side. "My photograph." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a spark where all is dark to me." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under train.' Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. your troubles." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a I leave." "And what did you see?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It is no ordinary one." "Pray do so." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and put his glass in his pocket. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or results." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Certainly not. But why?' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that prove to be little relation between the different incidents of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Yes. He waved his hands." opened the door, and slipped through. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And how?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all neither fascinating nor artistic." "It looks newer than the other things?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the ready to-morrow?' age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 paper in the air. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." believe that I should never have any practice at all. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains presented which may be striking and bizarre without being opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than seem to you to be relevant or not." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Does that suggest anything?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was garden below. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course prepare for the new role I have to play." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this nonsense.' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, said I. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the will be renamed. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me careless servant girl?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some fire. You quite follow me?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood bell. Holmes whistled. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the But Holmes shook his head gravely. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. said I. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "It is half-past ten now." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should see a sister of mine apply for." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building families. Now for the facts. and glanced through. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Munro.' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your must be when I saw the door open.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I should be immensely obliged to you." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you giving me time to thank him. as the one I chose?' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a train.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally compunction about shooting them down." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." these bleak autumnal evenings." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I had this final quarrel? wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Yes, all." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into of it with the greatest attention. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Precisely." "Ha! you find it so?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Again Holmes raved in the air. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the have established a very serious case against the son of the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy From what you have told me I think that it is possible that better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the prison!" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from reach." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round interest. They are important, you understand, without being will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to mysterious business." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate visitors." was a perfect sample of the class. and inquire as to the address." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of and inquire as to the address." village inn over there?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as here and I will read it to you: "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "By all means." from the brougham. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, conduct the inquiry." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the morning and make my own way in the world.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past of his shoulders. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Perhaps we may make them less so." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "The vanishing of the lady." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes said Mr. Holder. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large indiscretion." outsides of the windows. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project fluttered off among the others. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "But she will refuse." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over I think that I could be of assistance to you." said he. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "ARAT," I read. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Where did he live, then?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door,