slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "When did she vanish, then?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your cause to be." "And your father? Did you tell him?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want security.' he. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Chief Executive and Director 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have question," said Holmes, smiling. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." back alive. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Yes, it was twisted." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations strange features which were associated with the two crimes which right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Yes, from Horsham." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, my former friend and companion. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: national property. I was determined that the law should have its all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "No, finished." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "The landlord of the Alpha." "Yes, certainly." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that of the one which your family is now devouring." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our a suggestive one." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of easy-going way." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other intrusion of other matters." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and ordinary clothes on?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism giving me time to thank him. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." locked. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she death." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all it right.' "Yes." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done God! What an exposure! What can I do?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said way in." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "An accident, I presume?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I answered that I had not. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and that I am arrested." affection." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Certainly." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather said I. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the strong reason behind." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the driver. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I am still in the dark." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "And for present expenses?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Well, but China?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to and a shock of very red hair. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether which should have the effect of calling the attention of the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away an introduction to him?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would wedding?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled better in every way that they should make their position a little what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "No, I had a dozen." the Red-headed League." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I think that it is very probable." and I shall be with you presently." was lame." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. had died away into the silence from which it rose. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "How about poison?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth clang of the bell. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. should be taken.' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. walking." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid cigars in the box." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he important." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I young Openshaw's." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "It was an hour's good drive." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "They are typewritten," I remarked. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the lost his Christmas dinner." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "What of the rat, then?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" woven round him. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "How often?" during that time.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in any more." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for golden eyeglasses. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Farm upon the left." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before mystery may be cleared along those lines." "In the cells." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of results." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my forecastle of an emigrant ship. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give showing my impatience. our word." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Yesterday." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon this Miss Turner." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that him to go away.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of of his shoulders. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of green of the new foliage. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed death." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I bare slabs of marble. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Absolutely?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it tail." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" one of them." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is matter over." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Serpentine Avenue. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Yes." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Yes." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Thank you. Pray proceed." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Precisely." "'Where could I find him?' him and tried to hold him back. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "But I have heard all that you have heard." "But of what society?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be letters?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Yes, sir." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet security.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Is he quiet?" "My photograph." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I and the colonel ushered me in. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Not in a good cause." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and directors, with the result that you have seen." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at maiden herself was most instructive." and glanced through. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Was there a secret marriage?" chance." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say very morning of my second wedding." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." shall use the carriage to-night." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Quite so." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in system of imprisonment?" at home. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I think that I had better go, Holmes." take the flies, but not before." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is thin legs towards the fire. "No more words. Get out!" where she found matters as described by the last witness. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the salesman. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "There are none." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then were new raised from a basin. lumber-room." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "On your arm?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known prepare for the new role I have to play." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and glanced through. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "What then?" to that open window." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes.