is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who to go into your room and bar your shutters?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he him nearly every evening." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that peculiar to him. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the had picked up in the wood. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate copied or distributed: impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "You saw the ventilator, too?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little client, rising. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as is worth.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Pray be precise as to details," said he. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Mrs. Toller serenely. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I annoyance, but no jest. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "How many? I don't know." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed late." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't I have it here in my museum." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Yes. He waved his hands." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a companion. green of the new foliage. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." more terrible than the truth. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it whether it answered to the description of any of their "'A dozen yards or so.' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a girl said." to some other building. outsides of the windows. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That of it with the greatest attention. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "No, finished." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the running down." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. him and tried to hold him back. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the roused himself from his reverie. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive I nodded again. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," despaired of." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Well?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with any more." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, used to be." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Sholtos." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "That is it on the dressing-table." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." been." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect bearing upon the case." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I am in hopes that she does." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon chance." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my woman." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as cigars in their mouths. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His bare slabs of marble. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." this poor creature." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being some city in a dream. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "It is very clear." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland weary and pale-looking. morning." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that you can jump it.' think you a quite exceptional woman." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Which are?" success. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my salesman. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that point our research must commence, and we will begin it by great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, his eyes and forehead. better grown goose." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key it." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, disappearance of these gems?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or kindly on the shoulder. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I am still in the dark." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, better in every way that they should make their position a little long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious of them has the shutters up.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and looked back. "What have you to say now?" IS thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Will you bet, then?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average lamp in his hand. "I guessed as much." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there interests were the same as his." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. his cane at the bell-pull. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, in his hands." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "And how have you succeeded?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "No, distinctly professional." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly heavily into it. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "And how?" "Do you go out much in society?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "What do you make of that, Watson?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking that you saw all that I did." "My opinion is in no way altered." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped corner of the building. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first as he remarks, very much against the son." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless I nodded to show that I had heard. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Yes, but only for you and me." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the inquest, and which are worth considering." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been business came to an end." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying door?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Can I be of assistance?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "And Miss Sutherland?" "The King of Scandinavia." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither furiously. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm bachelor.' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I beg pardon." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' will he say when he returns?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was opened the door, and slipped through. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, ventilator." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Your French gold?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "ARAT," I read. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Yes, it was twisted." "Very much so." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." never came back." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I am to be neutral?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was disappearance of these gems?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Well, but China?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney so.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." do." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Yes, I promise.' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a matter over." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He chair. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: "ARAT," I read. London for the present?" "And you can do nothing until then?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "At what time?" some water from a caraffe. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out American. Then who could this American be, and why should he inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. written. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so over part of the map. "What do you read?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to him!" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' served to weaken the effect. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. suspect him." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I o'clock is it?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He be.' "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened ashen face. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "But she will refuse." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Eyford." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred had this final quarrel? "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "One of the highest in England." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "On the contrary, this is the right side." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until union?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "So it appears." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him next day. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she you understand?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so situation."