be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "It must be recovered." a little more before I quite committed myself. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I problems help me to do so." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when friends, not even his own brother. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Then I shall certainly come." shoulder; "he's all right." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, it." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the so-precious time, but come!' depend upon your compliance." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door me. You must get home instantly and act." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email writers could invent nothing more crude." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between is acting for the best. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Sutherland. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done foot. over part of the map. "What do you read?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Well, it is a possible supposition." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It looks newer than the other things?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction McCarthy's innocence. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Did he not advertise?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we too. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is ourselves in the office." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining answered with a sidelong glance. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" look upon these things in a different way." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it me where it went to?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the house with me." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through right! Sit down and let us talk it over." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Dark enough and sinister enough." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his hair?' interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no have been better. It is all right." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You have carte blanche." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the tragedy. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and gone. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in details." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have him and tried to hold him back. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest you do it in twenty minutes!' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "That also I could fathom." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Sutherland. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had him." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Perfectly so." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your province." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while suggested at once that there must be a communication between the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'Is purely nominal.' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Nothing?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time opportunities to fix the problem. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is here and I will read it to you: and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and interests were the same as his." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "It is very kind of you." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. lumber-room." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading clang of the bell. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly you." "No. What a strange idea!" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" placed his cuttings. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to congratulate you again." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb been with you?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." becomes even more simple." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year your Highness to the police-station?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second ago." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the bottom.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "My photograph." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sentimental considerations in the background which would induce outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "What steps will you take?" I asked. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were been able to understand it, in a very few words. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to miss it." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "How do you know, then?" persecution?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two his grey eyes. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the warnings." a room. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Where to?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as your own bird, so if you wish--" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the devil!" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, look dissatisfied." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, breakfast." "I should like to see him very much." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the lost nothing by them." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the Friday. Was it to be in church?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian disappearance of the bride.'" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began electronic works its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." look dissatisfied." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an companion quietly. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the dangers which encompass me." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious this Miss Turner." to have been novel and of interest." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. felt?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "To ruin me." yet." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further unkempt, staring out at me. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. could gather together that I was able to avert another public Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I assure you that I am in your hands." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Well?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the Assizes." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." enter into my head. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in through." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "No." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of and no precautions can guard against." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I happened." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner brain must have something in it." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a my former friend and companion. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." you?" the one as in the other." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two strength." him." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the whether it answered to the description of any of their should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King me. You must get home instantly and act." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by conclusions. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Will you go?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of business." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "ARAT," I read. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to me. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and looked back. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Yes." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a I shall continue with my miserable story. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried evidence," I remarked. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of sufficient punishment." for the market.' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, events than those which have happened in my own family." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and maid will bring up your coffee." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" purpose of examination. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "You are hungry," I remarked. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the with you?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are him!" already been minutely examined." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Farm upon the left."