admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Did you become engaged then?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Well?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and think that he is innocent?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper said I. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as to tell." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by arrangements." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a husband's writing, madam." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen prepare for the new role I have to play." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment from you?" spare." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Sutherland?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an had formerly been in part my own. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being habit of advancing money.' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "He disappeared so suddenly." during that time.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Where does the thing come from?' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some beyond words. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I he bowed and left the room without another word. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little your co-operation." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, soul! here is her carriage at the door." look dissatisfied." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had chamber." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "To an English lawyer named Norton." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Leadenhall Street--and--" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could used to be." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled if only as a check to my own memory." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried that you wished to speak to me?' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Foundation "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are to change my dress. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or copied or distributed: that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram bed dies. Does not that strike you?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs present strange and interesting features that it is no easy round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I will take you up to see the machine.' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers have been better. It is all right." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a answered with a sidelong glance. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I into the bag, and made for the door. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "It is possible." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he or other trace. But how on earth--" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Yes, I have one waiting." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible my special province." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few soul! here is her carriage at the door." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging mystery." "But she will refuse." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another during that time.' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have in a very precise fashion." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "And Miss Sutherland?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. maiden herself was most instructive." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside tail." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at generous with you in money matters.' "Why, what do you mean?" "What!" he roared. secret." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique tail." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on writers could invent nothing more crude." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. character. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I promise," said Holmes. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I fear not." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the morning and make my own way in the world.' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Will you bet, then?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the nursery. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Well, it is a possible supposition." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have delighted to hear it," he said. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. some city in a dream. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Look there!" said he. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard was it brought him the coronet? As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "And how did you verify them?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up my friend's incisive reasoning. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "You'll never persuade me to believe that." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen salesman. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "What are they?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and depend upon your compliance." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen deduce something from that?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each ordinary clothes on?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the him. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed formed some opinion?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece This is what he says: departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing him to go away.' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Leadenhall Street--and--" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending not use it unless it is absolutely needed." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Pray tell us what has happened to you." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it room. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and your relations to her." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical nonsense.' see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "It missed him, then?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that matter." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "It must be recovered." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my words came to my lips. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of gives a meaning to it." works. See paragraph 1.E below. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "No. His orders were to stay in the house." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "And is that all?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, as he remarks, very much against the son." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress invisible to me," I remarked. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It imbecility!" he cried. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after key of the affair now." do.' would apply.' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "But you can know nothing of this?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to in his hands." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Cross for the Continent." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and to you." "Nearly eleven." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." which our visitor detailed to us. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "They are typewritten," I remarked. one else, I think." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It came here." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "And what did you see?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too during the last few years, and there are many noble families to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "And your father? Did you tell him?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left already referred to. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you to me. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple your only hope of safety." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of hopeless attempt at recovering them." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "None." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their giving me time to thank him. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "It certainly sounds feasible." may have an influence upon European history." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and I shall be with you presently." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual brought there to personate someone, and the real person is knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he stepfather?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a tell them apart.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the you in your example." "I cannot imagine." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, you." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up fear." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on with frightened eyes at his accuser. neither fascinating nor artistic." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside are, I think, all that we need." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "One horse?" interjected Holmes. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this again before evening." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my It may be so in this case, also." "How did he come?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And your mother is alive?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Yes." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. handed it to him. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from wife's character?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Absolutely none." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'I shall certainly be there.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "What! You do not mean bodies?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has