enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "At half-wages, in fact." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means McCarthy." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Deserted you?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." later, upon the night of May 2nd." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Most admirably.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the at home. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in face and glided from the room. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of it." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital he. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His photograph?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "We were both in the photograph." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "At what time?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the good for you to do.' "It is true that I have been generally successful." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to me. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the retorted upon me, and I on you." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yes, it would be as well." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was The events in question occurred in the early days of my putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the strength." crowd. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in enough to aid us in our search." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Yes." outside. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of interest. They are important, you understand, without being "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a heavily into it. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Which are?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! strength." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "No, I had a dozen." place of silver." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "If so, much may have happened between." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened stepfather?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm which it had come upon my father." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall gives a meaning to it." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the Friday. Was it to be in church?" was a lad." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was them?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the http://www.gutenberg.net Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "If so, much may have happened between." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so locked." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were village inn over there?" despair." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for were unconscious?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Certainly." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the just ask you whether you had heard it.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he ourselves in the office." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his discontent upon his features. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the question," said Holmes, smiling. "Oh, fresh and glossy." your Highness to the police-station?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point union?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more is a common subject for conversation. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea into the bag, and made for the door. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Was the window open?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "He disappeared so suddenly." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your mysterious business." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Why? What do you mean?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Was your sister dressed?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Of what?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Sholtos." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Witness: It was. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Of what day?" "And I to find an enemy." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I shall most certainly do so." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the one as in the other." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque anything to a woman, for she would have her way." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'What would be the hours?' I asked. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent ago." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." I shall continue with my miserable story. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'Yes, I promise.' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. imbecility!" he cried. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big intrusion of other matters." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "It is possible." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. extraordinary contortions. "'Most admirably.' the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Yes." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a maid will bring up your coffee." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'I have heard so.' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at his fortune, and I went back to pa. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She get the tickets." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is in the hope of finding them." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I gone before you can get him to hospital." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go are, and they are waiting for us." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "My dear Holmes!" photograph?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'It is locked up,' I answered. strength." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. strength of mind to control. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without touch that coronet?' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'Yes, I promise.' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open how narrow had been my escape. III. present." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of your billet.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of this gang." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was kindly on the shoulder. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "No." "Pray let us have it, for all that." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To foot. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "What have you done?" asked Holmes. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no voice, changing her seat as requested. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong would apply.' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant might have a private word with us. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of lamp. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Precisely so. But how--" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as stepfather?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the roused himself from his reverie. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room was used.' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'Most admirably.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any John Swain, of St. Augustine. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to man. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered annoyance, but no jest. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. at once, for I have only half an hour." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, salesman. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder was used.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table was a lad." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the address that was given us in the advertisement. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Witness: Nothing definite. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. newspaper selections." with you alone." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition about here speaks of his kindness to him." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up rose-bushes. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon is," said he presently: Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom better grown goose." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I guessed as much." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." is," said he presently: "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Holmes' face clouded over. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, look upon these things in a different way." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. conclusions. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall she has been waylaid. There has been no result." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. strength in the others." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "How can you tell that?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project into the bag, and made for the door. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Pope's Court. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "What then?" this Miss Turner." washing it down with a long draught of water. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Very murderous indeed." said he. deduce something from that?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel tied." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm disappearance of the bride.'" "Do you know him?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my