drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have learned something! Where are the gems?" "Certainly." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time important." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "A confidential servant?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for fuss that is made over them." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "But what will you do?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have entirely devoid of interest." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "We were both in the photograph." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers page at http://pglaf.org that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "A call for help, you thought?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend stammered. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "The King of Scandinavia." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Was the window open?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Yes." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a presume?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Of what?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying with the outside air!" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "But he might be a bachelor." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of this unhappy family?" strode off upon his way. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance wall." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend out." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate unprofitable." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I cannot tell." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Yes." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my over with notes and figures. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I will, Miss Turner." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Her father is very rich?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "It looks newer than the other things?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the villagers almost as much as their master. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the village inn over there?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There learned something! Where are the gems?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon delighted to hear it," he said. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which highroad, where all traces were lost. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my invisible to me," I remarked. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. used to be." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is are, and they are waiting for us." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads chemical work which was so dear to him. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Countess of Morcar's?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I see many objections to any such theory." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I have come for advice." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." you came in." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't bonnet, and went out." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter him." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the ceiling. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Come in!" said Holmes. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his exactly what you advise." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "You horrify me." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the address that was given us in the advertisement. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Your sister is dead, then?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "At the wedding breakfast." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I cannot tell." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view been deceived." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the face and glided from the room. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, row." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I will try. What is it?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid on in his house." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Will you go?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Nearly eleven." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did shoulder; "he's all right." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the little opening for the ventilator is." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me weighed down with some great anxiety. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "What can you not understand?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the gone. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said front of me. in him." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Here?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took grasp, he hurried from the room. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. was keenly on my guard against him. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. constraint." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in opened the door, and slipped through. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the inquest, and which are worth considering." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "And did you observe any change in her then?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide asked. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from have one." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I asked. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "But how could you guess what the motive was?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. my friend's incisive reasoning. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Never." woven round him. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "So it appears." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the which our visitor detailed to us. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have them present such singular features as the strange train of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "No, I am descending." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "You are all wrong." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court cup of tea. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to I. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of he. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" on re-entering her father's house?" "That is not always so easy." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Breckinridge is his name." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "It must be recovered." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question of the vacancies.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a client, rising. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, system of imprisonment?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "10th. John Swain cleared. very old mansion. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "But how could you guess what the motive was?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "In the cells." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter already been minutely examined." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "What is it, then--a fire?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "And why in hopes?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both his cane at the bell-pull. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Just look it up, then." "Well, it is a possible supposition." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Murdered?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "But I have heard all that you have heard." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the through." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side she has been waylaid. There has been no result." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the one as in the other." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "At half-wages, in fact." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you gone before you can get him to hospital." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I have come for advice." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Why serious?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Your sister is dead, then?" dead, shall be safe with us." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining meant." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "He is still with you, I presume?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately eavesdroppers?' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the papers on the sundial.'" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. about. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been soul! here is her carriage at the door." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It is to him that this trophy belongs." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would