national property. I was determined that the law should have its "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and of the one which your family is now devouring." him to go away.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned papers on the sundial.'" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more their singular warning or token before them when starting upon play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "And how?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical nothing with him." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I answered that I had not. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" questionable one." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Eyford at 11:15.' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "What is it?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "No, but the enclosure is." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I hopeless attempt at recovering them." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the You want to know what became of those geese?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I never have." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up pictures, libraries, or plate. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Texas, I think." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you see a sister of mine apply for." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the DAMAGE. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely golden eyeglasses. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "You saw the ventilator, too?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to more solid." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Could he throw no light?" fire. You quite follow me?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped I. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. hardly wander." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and it. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an you understand?" "Really! You surprise me." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after answer." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of unprofitable." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so used to be." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest opportunities to fix the problem. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "By all means." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could our word." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the leaning back in his chair. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her mysterious end." indeed happy." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be not come at once?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, business?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It must be recovered." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at means taking possession of that which another person has a prior a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have himself in a perplexing position. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Dr. Becher's." "Perhaps we may make them less so." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in some city in a dream. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "How long did she speak to this Alice?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it imbecility!" he cried. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his charge against him will break down." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he that you saw all that I did." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I promise," said Holmes. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of purpose of examination. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been geese which you supplied to the Alpha." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and spark where all is dark to me." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." as noiselessly as she had come. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the coroner come to?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of his face which made him a very different person to the round, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William II. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. depend upon my doing so.' washing it down with a long draught of water. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "No. His orders were to stay in the house." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." you." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all assist you in forming an opinion." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'How far from the body?' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and read over the extraordinary announcement. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'And the work?' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport voice. "9th. McCauley cleared. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." manager. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "What is it, then--a fire?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she you for a few hours?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these disappearance of the bride.'" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil I approached. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I don't believe it." in this way: be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I cannot imagine." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "We were both in the photograph." strength in the others." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. be. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "His face fell immediately. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with not interfere, come what may. You understand?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon whereabouts. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "You will not go there first?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Oh, fresh and glossy." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss round and wave him away like that.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" problems help me to do so." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "ARAT," I read. some city in a dream. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as dramatic, in fact." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil is four-and-twenty." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Imitated." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I will do it." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Bought." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and without a word or a look. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. this as likely?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the enter into my head. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are posted to-day." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is you in yours." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "An accident, I presume?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the in this note: The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for be there in time for your coming." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure completely overtopped every other consideration that we both been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and go--none." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'What, the red-headed man?' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." back alive. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran never came back." "Ah!" call you and give you the chance." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to absorbing." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of ourselves in the office." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" detained." my secret was safe in his possession. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Very much so." husband's writing, madam." away to you." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "On the contrary, this is the right side." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all then?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "But what will you do?" walking." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I came to find a friend." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by point in the dark hollow of his hand. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. rat could hardly pass through." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I a little more before I quite committed myself. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "And your father? Did you tell him?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to envelope. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Heh?' "It is very kind of you." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you any more." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed hour." better grown goose." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Dr. Gregory B. Newby save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Holmes' face clouded over. "I cannot imagine." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow about. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the Assizes." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited awaited us upon the table. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Nothing." of this gang." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that one of the states of the Union." "And did you observe any change in her then?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the tragedy. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man late." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "So I am. Very much so." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with keep the flames under. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "My dear Holmes!" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have perplexity from it to my illustrious client. without a word or a look. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry other means.' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You to go into your room and bar your shutters?" was feeling which was the fattest.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "He said too much." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise."