the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." was already answered. heavily into it. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." joking. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this go--none." I nodded again. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." eavesdroppers?' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "I promise," said Holmes. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Tired-looking or fresh?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Count Von Kramm." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I stood on the top of it. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now someone who had been in Australia." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "But you were on a friendly footing?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "The murder was done with it." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "No?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'And the work?' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of copied or distributed: high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the good for you to do.' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I have solved it." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' together. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the events, Mr. Windibank!" "And did you observe any change in her then?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'Quite sure, dad.' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the excitement. to have been novel and of interest." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I was sure that I might rely on you." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to-night?' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do there was no need for father to know." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right upon a handsome competence. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just closing the door. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to upon a handsome competence. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "The Coroner: What do you mean? Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "By train from Waterloo." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest note?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." delighted to hear it," he said. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the inquest, and which are worth considering." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to wedding?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "You are all wrong." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'And what salary do you ask?' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I have a cab outside." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned present." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he locked." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst criminal. We have already had experience of such." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I should be immensely obliged to you." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Seven!" I answered. of it with the greatest attention. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and about. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Oh, yes, easily." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" next day. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Farm upon the left." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Witness: Nothing definite. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a which our visitor detailed to us. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "And Miss Sutherland?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I thought that she would have been so carried away." his fortune, and I went back to pa. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred closing the door. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "My Mary? Impossible!" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most get the tickets." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." delighted to hear it," he said. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of think that any burglar could have done. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his case before our client came into the room." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name The King stared at him in amazement. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Absolutely none." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' sofa. This way, please!" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Did he not advertise?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful legal crime." "You don't mind breaking the law?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had I shall continue with my miserable story. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting him. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, photograph a cabinet?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Precisely so. But how--" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I should be immensely obliged to you." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present electronic works then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, was a perfect sample of the class. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." one of the states of the Union." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly guilty one." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a nonsense.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland matter." "I don't believe it." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him my former friend and companion. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as second window is the one that I jumped from." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he answer." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three to tackle the facts." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense becomes even more simple." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that away in different directions, and I went off to make my own out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Nothing?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day secret." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Thank you. Pray proceed." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and shall use the carriage to-night." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "It was an hour's good drive." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two down. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "In what way?" asked Holmes. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" held up the lantern and gazed about him. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and glanced through. asked. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Dirty?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the your equipment. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to-night." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door dead, shall be safe with us." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "You horrify me." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping place of silver." "And how did he make his money?" stood on the top of it. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Seven!" I answered. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this signal between you and your father? "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely closely." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at tell him that I know him to be innocent." roused himself from his reverie. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless into the room. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I passage and a tap at the door. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would be. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our minor matters until to-morrow." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days that three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It is very kind of you." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "This concluded the examination of the witness." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to if she died from some sudden fright." my special province." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, chance at all." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming narrative." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that key turn in the lock." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should married her." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. reach." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Yes, sir." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. exactly what you advise." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And did you observe any change in her then?" compunction about shooting them down." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' What do you deduce from it?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you death." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is