matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of for the market.' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" have one." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I pound a week." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, seem to you to be relevant or not." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all entirely devoid of interest." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I cigars in their mouths. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "But to whom?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread our word." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project bachelor.' them?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat ashen face. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for writer." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the one which it was hard to resist. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "At half-wages, in fact." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to man. I know him from the photograph." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the inner apartment." "One of his hands." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "It's nothing of the kind." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I will try. What is it?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Yes." "I will do it." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "My last client of the sort was a king." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Lestrade of Scotland Yard." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more noting anything else of interest. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face a monotonous occupation." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he like gravel from a pit.' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I was afraid that you were engaged." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It missed him, then?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "That is easily got." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the running down." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our gbnewby@pglaf.org "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and go from here to the Strand." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if tension within him. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of them has the shutters up.' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is such person." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at http://gutenberg.net/license). strength." meanly of me." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I am about to be married." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached any little problem which you may submit to me." lumber-room." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Does that suggest anything?" remarked. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I would give my fortune to have them back." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all man. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to said he. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Chief Executive and Director Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into his eyes and forehead. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'Certainly not.' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Mary, has deserted me." nothing of it?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried chance at all." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Surrey." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul you." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "It is true that I have been generally successful." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom man. I know him from the photograph." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that washing it down with a long draught of water. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It that he has suffered." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I that reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Will you bet, then?" awkward doing business with an alias." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you in him." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as key of the affair now." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. at once, for I have only half an hour." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting lectures into a series of tales." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Lee, in the county of Kent." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into photograph?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "And what then?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "An enemy?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Can I be of assistance?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'Ample.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him will take you up to see the machine.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I guessed as much." helping a boy to put up the shutters. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few instituted." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. himself to tell his story. Holmes' thin, eager face. to arrive at through this?" "He is dead," cried several voices. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east have got?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But matter over." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time excitement. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. were wasted." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The posted to-day." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination heavy and sharp instrument." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a appeared upon the scene." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Will you go?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Your presence might be invaluable." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned trying to your nerves." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every kind enough to tell me what I should do." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "What are they?" the very morning of the wedding." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by front of the hall door has given its name to the place. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of second window is the one that I jumped from." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Absolutely none." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my breakfast." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "No more words. Get out!" to tell." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or nothing with him." yet." entirely lost his self-respect." "No sign of it?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, clanging. "I should like to see him very much." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it during the last few years, and there are many noble families to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "And Miss Sutherland?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "A confidential servant?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "This photograph!" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Holmes' room. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the child." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Where to?' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Count Von Kramm." union?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There a good hundred miles off by now." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and a shock of very red hair. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "But of what society?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself was feeling which was the fattest.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a questionable one." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I cannot imagine." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." his knees, staring into the fire. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough recover the gem." and your relations to her." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a companion quietly. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make bears upon the case?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "And from a noble client?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the me what he had done with the three missing stones. the station." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs asked with his eyes open. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to wanted for ourselves." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I say it is." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the date of his supposed suicide." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "On Monday." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never within hail.' answer." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in own family. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I will get her to show me." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the tragedy. you came in." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against wedding?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as