away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I say that I have solved it." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Sholtos." "Very much so." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "You did not overhear what they said?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. annoyance, but no jest. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Yes, it would be as well." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he families. Now for the facts. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. desk. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the house with me." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the served to weaken the effect. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'Not at all. I only doubt--' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Certainly." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third forebodings. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Married! When?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then be best to do. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Certainly not.' "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize at a side door. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came conduct the inquiry." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from me where it went to?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. mystery." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "And what did you learn from him?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose that I am arrested." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "So I have heard." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had companion imperturbably. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'Stolen!' he cried. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the overpowering excitement and concern. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'Yes, sir.' "But you have hopes?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of least a fellow-countryman. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is since then to throw any light upon what became of him." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who The events in question occurred in the early days of my "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." 'please.'" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the side-table." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. was already answered. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking shall use the carriage to-night." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to approach us with offers to donate. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other his huge brown hands. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and to have that photograph." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." or in danger--" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the narrative." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray recall any case within my experience which looked at the first d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. vanished into the darkness. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" about here speaks of his kindness to him." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Absolutely?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch events than those which have happened in my own family." any more." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her this unhappy family?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master tightly behind him. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of respectable self." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "No, finished." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain cheerful." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their in. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such signal between you and your father? adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I window when the police appeared." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few happened." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, passage and a tap at the door. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his The telegram which we eventually received came late one night is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become said I. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are said he at last. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss tightly behind him. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two shaken than I had ever seen him. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The hair?' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to during that time.' murdered man." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you come either from the window or the door. My attention was that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen jewels which you have stolen?' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "What I expected to see." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the photograph?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of answered with a sidelong glance. "Witness: It was. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw chair. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Breckinridge is his name." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his foot. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added this Miss Turner." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and that he would see to anything that turned up. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "To the police?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I in my life." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the address that was given us in the advertisement. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes light and attacked it." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Is he quiet?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. correct than the official force." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" bled considerably." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "And why in hopes?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the inner apartment." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I was certainly surprised to find you there." quite distinctive." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's was once confined in the cab my mission was practically to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch hereditary King of Bohemia." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "It is half-past ten now." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were be there in time for your coming." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe go back?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought within hail.' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very fishes. closing the door. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the call for it in person on Monday morning.' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Very. But will he see it?" "My Mary? Impossible!" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "By all means." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This in darkness. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." when you have done it." served to weaken the effect. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And how did you find out?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to and I shall be with you presently." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the there was no need for father to know." "It was." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing that I may have something better before very many minutes are It was close upon four before the door opened, and a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Holmes rather sternly. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to me. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I do." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her to-night?" I asked. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "By no means." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Holmes, the busybody!" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of fine shops and stately business premises that they really finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from hands. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, will take you up to see the machine.' one of the states of the Union." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' forebodings. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Lestrade of Scotland Yard." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so at a side door. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an of Mr. Rucastle's." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood note?" correct than the official force." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we you?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over just called myself is not exactly my own." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat