from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, place of silver." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any narrative." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as was lame." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Witness: Nothing definite. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about hand, madam?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from to you." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Precisely so. But how--" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were fish-monger and a tide-waiter." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when some city in a dream. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the loss of it. of this gang." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have directors, with the result that you have seen." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your his cane at the bell-pull. "Who was the criminal, then?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. allusion to a rat. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, despaired of." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good comes from the middle window." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations sake, don't!" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home details should find their way into the papers. Inspector besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Where did he live, then?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much and files of the old papers, following the future career of every hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "My private note-paper." seven miles from Eyford Station.' of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between when your master had gone out." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, intrusion of other matters." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "What will you say?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "In heaven's name, what for?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided questionable one." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "None." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other colonel looking down at me. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an your sleep?' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his think, you have already met." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "It was." depend upon my doing so.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, friend's singular character. "At half-wages, in fact." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled do." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, power." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible to that open window." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "An accident, I presume?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'Yes, sir.' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Pray do so." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "It must be recovered." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have fasten all the windows?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." in the port of London." other lovers by making love himself." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Dr. Gregory B. Newby point our research must commence, and we will begin it by peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every him nearly every evening." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the tragedy. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into for and were ordered to this address. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his II. "My opinion is in no way altered." hour?' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it when your master had gone out." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a where she found matters as described by the last witness. gentleman's clothes. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I should wish to." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom province." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. to surprise her." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I evidence," I remarked. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and outside. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. to have that photograph." Miss Holder?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I say that I have solved it." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that ago." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked we went to search for him, face downward in a little examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do detained." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of companion imperturbably. "Why? What do you mean?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. observed. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Have you good authority for what you say?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ look dissatisfied." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, me." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible in his hands." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Ample." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be been with you?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. as yours." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Here?" astonishment. weary and pale-looking. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you as the one I chose?' "In the cells." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, over here." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest interest. They are important, you understand, without being "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the devil!" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern you do it in twenty minutes!' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "And what did you learn from him?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to you." any little problem which you may submit to me." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their never to learn it at all." one of them." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Then I shall certainly come." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage garden below. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and the colonel ushered me in. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot note?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted sofa. This way, please!" "And now?" I asked. ready to-morrow?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said mystery." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint 'please.'" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, occurred." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Yes, it was twisted." was already answered. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "You don't mind breaking the law?" "And it is--" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what down. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy cigars in the box." DISSOLVED. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions The summons was a brief and urgent one. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for writing, and yet I know it well." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes, it would be as well." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Your French gold?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Come in!" said Holmes. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch situation." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything enter Dr. Roylott's room." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings American. Then who could this American be, and why should he call you and give you the chance." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips beyond words. ways of our fellow-men." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, wanted for ourselves." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to to change my dress. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present him." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every bell. Holmes whistled. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. you understand?" me. You must get home instantly and act." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has bachelor.' "ARAT," I read. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His