not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ derbies." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Where did you address your letters, then?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside present." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough this man was intellectual?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see details should find their way into the papers. Inspector into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "And what did you see?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side me." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "That is possible." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you most interesting one." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again more terrible than the truth. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "To an English lawyer named Norton." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the furiously. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something these bleak autumnal evenings." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which mystery." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Have you it here?" "Yes, it was twisted." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a your Highness to the police-station?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "About a month then." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." orange pips. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Yes." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might trifles." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this here." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "The rest you will leave in our hands." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And why?" McCarthy's innocence. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that three of the beryls in it, was missing. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" highly," said Holmes. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I 1.F. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Foundation We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened said he. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual really the only notable feature about the thing." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Did you observe the colour?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some only touch the interest." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Nothing?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." attention." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Well, some hundreds of times." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 redistribution. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." brain must have something in it." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can as he folded up the epistle. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who asked with his eyes open. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Pray be precise as to details," said he. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and one which it was hard to resist. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from plantation.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, rose-bushes. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "I should be immensely obliged to you." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "And for present expenses?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "No?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I have seen the police." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of and it need not interfere very much with one's other suspect him." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Ten will be early enough." and no precautions can guard against." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our during the last few years, and there are many noble families to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the it. "But I am all in the dark." "But she could not love him." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it depend upon my doing so.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "My stepfather's business papers." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a coat-tails." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in over here." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. on re-entering her father's house?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to October 9, 1890. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Texas, I think." "In heaven's name, what for?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. approach us with offers to donate. spark where all is dark to me." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "But you have hopes?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "My dear Holmes!" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be tear off another piece?' was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "No, distinctly professional." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, strong and stiff." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Then you may be so with me." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Certainly." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, photograph?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, relief. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been as the one I chose?' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both again before evening." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "What can you not understand?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the not personally threatened." security.' instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Pray let us have it, for all that." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "It was an hour's good drive." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "It's nothing of the kind." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "What shall I do?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "But how?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'Which dealer's?' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened miles off. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "How many? I don't know." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Dirty?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil kindly on the shoulder. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I promise," said Holmes. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Holmes' thin, eager face. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK or in danger--" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking mystery!" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." foresight and the moral retrogression?" article?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to his chemical studies. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite dramatic, in fact." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "You have a clue?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips to have that photograph." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously look dissatisfied." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the tightly behind him. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of tied." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and wedding?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always that the gas is not laid on in his house?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." pound a week." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two just called myself is not exactly my own." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" him." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "She will not sell." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and chair. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor you?" "I think it very unlikely." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "It goes to the housekeeper's room." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry to talk it over. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'Stolen!' he cried. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of when your master had gone out." "Well, it is a possible supposition." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the what these perils are?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. kind enough to tell me what I should do." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I think that it is very probable." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the devil!" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to me. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly second window is the one that I jumped from." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small records." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "And why in hopes?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left