value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the Assizes." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Yes." enter Dr. Roylott's room." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence may have an influence upon European history." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave God! What an exposure! What can I do?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I than was visible to me." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Precisely." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "You think that he is dead?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Yes." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Stolen." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the matter." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the closely." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head obstinate." disappearance of the bride.'" tell him that I know him to be innocent." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Texas, I think." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. tightly behind him. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security wedding?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I would pay ten." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very highroad, where all traces were lost. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the soul! here is her carriage at the door." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with sit on the left-hand side of the driver." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "It came here." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "And it is--" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up occurred." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a with frightened eyes at his accuser. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I see no marks." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his bachelor.' walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" quite distinctive." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so as he remarks, very much against the son." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the be there in time for your coming." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Holmes rather sternly. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at that?' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to be best to do. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the wedding?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he fire. You quite follow me?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and in the port of London." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but could gather together that I was able to avert another public a room. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Where, then?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Yes, it would be as well." and the whole place is in a blaze." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a a suggestive one." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the eavesdroppers?' instituted." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of away into the river." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found useful material for showing traces. The double line a little be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a salesman. it were putty." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the there is a decided draught." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that away to you." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of system of imprisonment?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And the murderer?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "When did it break out?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that of campaign. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any indeed happy." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was used to be." "You think so, too?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It certainly sounds feasible." undoubtedly my uncle's." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing digesting their breakfasts at home." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the deduce something from that?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, one's self under obligations.' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the washing it down with a long draught of water. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of gentleman's clothes. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative arrangements." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. DAMAGE. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return this remarkable episode. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Not yet." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Street. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'Why that?' I asks. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman distinguish the words: but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey views." "No, I am descending." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and I nodded to show that I had heard. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I again on its way. spark where all is dark to me." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the maid will bring up your coffee." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Yes." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "When did she vanish, then?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, here and I will read it to you: "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man do.' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the for its centre. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has row." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he she might be summoned. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in sake, don't!" kind enough to tell me what I should do." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "And you thought he was pulled back?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the was shining brightly. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided not use it unless it is absolutely needed." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth fuss that is made over them." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already felt?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Perfectly so." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Where to?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I am all attention, madam." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the meanly of me." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. other, as fresh and trim as possible. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose into the room. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Very. But will he see it?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." has little to do with my story." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost beyond words. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong matters immensely." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving could not account in any way for the presence of the missing hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of your co-operation." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "And on what day did he meet his death?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" this unhappy family?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "No bad?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, late!' "It is true that I have been generally successful." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." as noiselessly as she had come. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Countess of Morcar's?" than was visible to me." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "My private note-paper." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Where is it, then?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, gives a meaning to it." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the before the coroner and the police-court." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Thank you. And your address?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Imitated." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps said I. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing client, rising. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Yes." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Never." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to