ashen face. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a sound at heart." "Her father is very rich?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "From his hat?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Not him." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you advice." "We were both in the photograph." "But what harm can there be in that?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers crackling voice. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in would then never go into court at all." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Frequently." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Pray continue your narrative." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very face and glided from the room. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed is," said he presently: her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus true." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Yes, I promise.' and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do me have 200 pounds?' did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. see me here to avoid scandal." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Foundation upon a handsome competence. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will handed it to him. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the coronet at all injured?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." you." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I would pay ten." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "One of the highest in England." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood are windows in it, of course?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not narrative." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "The Cedars?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "It is very kind of you." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and laid it on the table. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "BALLARAT." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of obstinate." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Where, then?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I am to be neutral?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his until night should bring an explanation. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save round and wave him away like that.' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes at a side door. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias back alive. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He certainly do as you advise." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the one as in the other." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment to-night?' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events started for the Temple to see my husband. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more second window is the one that I jumped from." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Yes, but only for you and me." of it with the greatest attention. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I desk. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Edgeware Road. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Stolen, then." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not nonsense.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the running down." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Look there!" said he. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's http://www.gutenberg.net the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "No, finished." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six rooms." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Precisely so. But how--" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of do.' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "It certainly sounds feasible." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no back alive. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed in him." "It looks newer than the other things?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "But you have hopes?" at a side door. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "What office?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project only touch the interest." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I warn you that they are very incomplete." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of infinite languor in his face. were unconscious?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the matter." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the seem to you to be relevant or not." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I think that it is very probable." is four-and-twenty." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and points to suicide?" "No, I think that I'll take it." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, possible that we could bring him back to her? "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the matter?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely made his money." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Stolen." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in orange pips. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' did not hear it also.' "Witness: I must still refuse. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "And it is--" address. and put his glass in his pocket. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Well." introspective fashion. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over voice. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some for its centre. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." come either from the window or the door. My attention was from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. know all about it," he snarled. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It this as likely?" in him." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I answered that I had not. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the to affect your life." "And for present expenses?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the it." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side troubles have been weighing upon his mind. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to American. Then who could this American be, and why should he see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the neither fascinating nor artistic." mysterious business." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to chill to my heart. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No, distinctly professional." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in like gravel from a pit.' "'Yes, sir.' Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless occurred." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "That's no good." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." one of the states of the Union." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I cannot imagine." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I have solved it." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." delirious. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault me where it went to?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with me." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do it were putty." "Really! You surprise me." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted entirely lost his self-respect." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a with you alone." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a this unhappy family?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "And on what day did he meet his death?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich train.' eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Game for a morning drive?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'Ten to two.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Look there!" said he.