wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "How did you trace it, then?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue more solid." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a chair. him to be an active member of the medical profession." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that upon the shelf for the interim." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he sit on the left-hand side of the driver." indeed which he could not unravel. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Did your wife hear all this?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the wife's character?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Well, it is a possible supposition." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to you." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to used to be." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his thin legs towards the fire. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled III. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I handed it to him. "It is solved." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as could not account in any way for the presence of the missing against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Get out!" said he. overpowering excitement and concern. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to when you have done it." developed." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. outside. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No grasp, he hurried from the room. "My last client of the sort was a king." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." held up the lantern and gazed about him. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. have an American origin." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and the colonel ushered me in. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "One?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off cigar and let me expound." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making if only as a check to my own memory." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very their singular warning or token before them when starting upon see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, dramatic, in fact." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble see a sister of mine apply for." "Precisely." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, tightly behind him. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. think, you have already met." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" against a man in the prime of life?" allusion to a rat. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Because he was handy and would come cheap." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed some mystery and the punishment of some crime." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a himself to hunt down. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked without a word or a look. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to chamber." direction." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I promise," said Holmes. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "It is no ordinary one." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as disturbance in my wife." is a common subject for conversation. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having dates and names. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains to have been novel and of interest." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed outside." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Holmes rather sternly. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." spark where all is dark to me." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "You forget that I know nothing about it." looking up at the numbers of the houses." against a man in the prime of life?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small ashen face. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "In which, sir?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "How did that help you?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which without a word or a look. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove will not take me long to tell. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "No bad?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "VIOLET HUNTER." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a bill, which interests me deeply." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid paper in the air. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high unprecedented a position." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to have been novel and of interest." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Have you good authority for what you say?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and throat." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Whose house is it?" "Ten will be early enough." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I to change my dress. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by up this clue while it is still hot." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him what these perils are?" served to weaken the effect. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my together. place of silver." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "On your arm?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed some terrible trap for her." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "And the cigar-holder?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Could he throw no light?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no developed." "But of what society?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, you want, then?' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this that the gas is not laid on in his house?" my special province." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! them, and came down just as you departed. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'Why that?' I asks. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "By no means." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Very murderous indeed." and have this put in the evening papers." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek a few minutes he said that it would be all right. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And will find little credit to be gained out of this case." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and I shall be with you presently." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "She told me to ask you." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my said I. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, despaired of." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell national property. I was determined that the law should have its paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' you?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Dr. Gregory B. Newby I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the inner apartment." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and ashen face. "If so, much may have happened between." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a go back?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended chill to my heart. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "And I." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the best of training." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working bell. Holmes whistled. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Not social, then?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and bird of prey. "And for present expenses?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." hereditary King of Bohemia." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing pressing in one house as in another. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but handed it to him. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "You were travelling in the States?" "No, I am descending." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had are, and they are waiting for us." John Swain, of St. Augustine. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "But it has twice been burgled." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." detective. instituted." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Bought." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." leave you to your papers for a little." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. what I may call a really hard day's work." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that away into the river." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I have come for advice." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were so.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "No sign of it?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was light and attacked it." strength." "But you can know nothing of this?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "What I expected to see." Countess of Morcar's?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch mystery may be cleared along those lines." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon about. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a a monotonous occupation." Literary Archive Foundation "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin of this gang." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his business at Coburg Square is serious." "I will do it." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of she might be summoned. "What of the rat, then?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, me upon any point which I do not make clear." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Certainly." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Very. But will he see it?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have papers on the sundial.'" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Oh, yes, easily." bearing upon the case." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the