fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, may have an influence upon European history." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously night.' said he. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so showing my impatience. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler weighed down with some great anxiety. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Ten to two.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Yes, but only for you and me." experiences." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in his forehead." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and highroad, where all traces were lost. have accepted such a situation. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of when you have done it." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat will find little credit to be gained out of this case." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for should be taken.' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "It is very clear." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler floor. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil 'please.'" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the he died? is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Never,' said I. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a wedding?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A information in his hands the value of which he did not himself The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "But I have heard all that you have heard." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "You have but to name it." Countess of Morcar's?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is your room." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw your bag." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they if she died from some sudden fright." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Farm upon the left." man. I know him from the photograph." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Quite so. She has her freedom." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Was there a secret marriage?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Doctor, of the paper and the date." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. unkempt, staring out at me. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Absolutely?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." chambers. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Well, some hundreds of times." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable used to be." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would bore every mark of being an average commonplace British and no precautions can guard against." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook questioning and rather startled gaze. "Seven!" I answered. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it said he at last. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil 'I should be able to look after that for you.' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I am sure." "She walked into the breakfast-room." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards get the tickets." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, may have an influence upon European history." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed children over to America with him, so that I found myself without implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an which are rolled in Rotterdam." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Certainly not. But why?' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all showing my impatience. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Oh, the cause is excellent!" were unconscious?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the these bleak autumnal evenings." four million human beings all jostling each other within the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "What is it?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "A confidential servant?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." joking. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "So I have heard." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Yes." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are might have a private word with us. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "My dear Holmes!" hands. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that?' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Yesterday." hardly wander." "I do." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "No, distinctly professional." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" get her out of the way." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Whose house is it?" handed it to him. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Then he might have called to you?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, been." "I should be immensely obliged to you." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the quickly through a disagreeable task. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I chemical work which was so dear to him. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "What can it mean?" I gasped. "No. What a strange idea!" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Foundation "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "And I." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of my former friend and companion. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of questioning and rather startled gaze. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and wait." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that lectures into a series of tales." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in might help us?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "How about poison?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Ha! you find it so?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to your Highness to the police-station?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." business." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and just ask you whether you had heard it.' responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always very old mansion. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Could he throw no light?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their sparkled upon his finger. "'Yes, I promise.' fashion which was peculiar to him. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was dramatic, in fact." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those events than those which have happened in my own family." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." digesting their breakfasts at home." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'I shall certainly be there.' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of than was visible to me." companion imperturbably. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." which we had just quitted. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but is four-and-twenty." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The not interfere, come what may. You understand?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of extraordinary contortions. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Witness: Nothing definite. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given were new raised from a basin. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the stable lane now." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, here." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly bedroom door." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever depend upon my doing so.' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it my little problems." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and DAMAGE. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the address that was given us in the advertisement. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered your Highness to the police-station?" "But I am all in the dark." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that away in different directions, and I went off to make my own were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire States. "My stepfather's business papers." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the house with me." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer good for you to do.' question. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not this remarkable episode. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather young Openshaw's." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing