and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Your presence might be invaluable." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I have hopes." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "What office?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Ah!" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and the colonel ushered me in. knowledge of the world." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was and have this put in the evening papers." "And who is her maid?" Edgeware Road. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'Where could I find him?' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just outside. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United McCarthy's innocence. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "And what did you see?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical nonsense.' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Pope's Court. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to attention." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while affection." to his chemical studies. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the tragedy. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of ran thus: lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never good for you to do.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is fait accompli?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." investigation." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of ran thus: all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the thirty. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very companion. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "A client, then?" prisoner's face. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "No." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity humiliation." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, bonnet, and went out." becomes even more simple." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in his knees, staring into the fire. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Frequently." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Were they all fastened this morning?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Surrey." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you The events in question occurred in the early days of my that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the armchair which I pushed forward for him. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual my former friend and companion. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Holmes, the busybody!" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk that I can to serve you." "Very much so." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It must be recovered." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" rat could hardly pass through." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want murdered man." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I think that it is very probable." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been dead, shall be safe with us." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan memory. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, points to suicide?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "The doctor?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Come in!" said he. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "How did he come?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, long narrative. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling generous with you in money matters.' your sleep?' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an seven miles from Eyford Station.' "One of the highest in England." go from here to the Strand." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project shoulder. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are tension within him. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural feature." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Heh?' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm towards the blaze. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the trying to your nerves." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to whereabouts. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up directors, with the result that you have seen." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are business came to an end." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to about. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a your Highness to the police-station?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "When did she vanish, then?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" distinguish the words: possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH six. Come in!" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I if she died from some sudden fright." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, of." unprofitable." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall any little problem which you may submit to me." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "It looks newer than the other things?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "None." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Yes." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two in him." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'And what salary do you ask?' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded call you and give you the chance." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Yes, there are nearly always some there." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "But you have hopes?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal situation." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Proceed, then." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle character. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "And how have you succeeded?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "What! a murderous attack?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we it. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, it." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Oh, yes, easily." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Where to?" Arthur Conan Doyle pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." garden below. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the warnings." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I cannot say that I have." seen the man in the road." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of down. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. you want, then?' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. asked with his eyes open. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same me." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked orange pips. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." entirely devoid of interest." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any II. with some details as to your case." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But detective. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of sufficient punishment." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'A dozen yards or so.' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'Certainly not. But why?' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you placed his cuttings. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "How are you getting on?" "That you are never beaten." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round might have a private word with us. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly outsides of the windows. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "And how did he make his money?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her must compliment you." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" breakfast." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little lips." were wasted." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two