it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Why? What do you mean?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was papers on the sundial.'" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was past. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as visitors." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been in him." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. keep the flames under. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The summons was a brief and urgent one. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport front of me. "But we can't all be." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time entirely lost his self-respect." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg yards of it?' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Dr. Gregory B. Newby blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You will not go there first?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most room. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Ten to two.' call you and give you the chance." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the people in all walks of life. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to what I may call a really hard day's work." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "What do you mean?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "She will not sell." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge way: "Yes, at the mines." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and particular state visit http://pglaf.org access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not character. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I am to be neutral?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'Yes.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Never." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar perplexity from it to my illustrious client. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Which are?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his will be renamed. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the strength of mind to control. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "That is unusual in a young girl." Henry Baker is a member." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "The knees of his trousers." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Leave Paddington by the 11:15." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go there when the Rucastles went away." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." extraordinary contortions. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was as the one I chose?' father's young wife. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest that central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue front of me. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that drove away. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "It is a murder, then?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Witness: It was. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "That is easily got." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She silent! Oh, he will be silent!' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "And for present expenses?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Most admirably.' me have 200 pounds?' enter into my head. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. visitors." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door cause to be." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Yes." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" you in your example." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "And I say east," said my patient. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his few hundred pounds.' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Do you know him?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding helping a boy to put up the shutters. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Munro.' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very where we are going." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told relation between them, and what the object of his repeated comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The key turn in the lock." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. promised to bring home. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "And help." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which in the port of London." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "And I say east," said my patient. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Have you good authority for what you say?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Never." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his photograph?" it right.' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we companion imperturbably. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low forbidden door. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I cannot tell." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Could he throw no light?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was if I call to-morrow?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them so far?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to this as likely?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as memory. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried round and wave him away like that.' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the heavily into it. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side was it brought him the coronet? your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white cigars in the box." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small behind me. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she to me. experiences." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "When did she vanish, then?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "VIOLET HUNTER." "No?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of direction." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "By no means." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and already referred to. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Very truly yours, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let everything which you would wish to know." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each purpose equally well?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'Certainly not.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this opportunities to fix the problem. chamber." "Yes, from Horsham." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. most interesting one." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, conceal it?" the salesman. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." in the port of London." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "But he might be a bachelor." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the that were wasted." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for you in your example." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a hand, madam?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Then let me do so?' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Henry Baker is a member." he died? the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "What have you to say now?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of too. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Who was the criminal, then?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I cannot tell." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I cannot say that I have." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." said I. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "It must be recovered." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "None." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the date of his supposed suicide." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope without success. At last the little money which I had saved began some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "My opinion is in no way altered." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get