think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' there was no need for father to know." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be said he, "my real name is James Ryder." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right works. See paragraph 1.E below. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "You'll never persuade me to believe that." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Not I." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was go--none." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Then you may entirely rely on me." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of girl said." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My companion. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of leave you to your papers for a little." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally lost nothing by them." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting daring than any effort of the imagination." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "This concluded the examination of the witness." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Tired-looking or fresh?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "My dear Holmes!" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "That was it, sir." "'As governess?' undoubtedly my uncle's." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "How are you getting on?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Get out!" said he. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is purpose equally well?" "My own seal." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Very well, sir. And this stone?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked again on its way. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a carried out of court." Serpentine Avenue. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. even of instruction." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten signal between you and your father? evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me it right.' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, fasten all the windows?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort relief. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her disturbance in my wife." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical where we are going." "Yes." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my hour." "Yes, I have one waiting." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I am following you closely," I answered. client, rising. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." maiden herself was most instructive." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project second." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled were new raised from a basin. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in eat it." examine." gone before you can get him to hospital." front of me. happened." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong shall use the carriage to-night." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Why serious?" where we are going." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "It surprised me." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very just ask you whether you had heard it.' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that the gas is not laid on in his house?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the roots. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I not, dad?" she asked. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "The doctor?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name have accepted such a situation. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" morning." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Yes." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "May I see it?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "You were travelling in the States?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six there when the Rucastles went away." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." entirely lost his self-respect." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my upon the shelf for the interim." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Is he quiet?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was you, my dear young lady?' "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "And Miss Sutherland?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and your relations to her." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Entirely." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' on re-entering her father's house?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to-night." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. must compliment you." think, you have already met." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Cross for the Continent." "Dr. Becher's." chamber." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "And Irene Adler?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Indeed! Whose, then?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made been shamefully used." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you bore every mark of being an average commonplace British that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall emerged. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a fact, we may call it conclusive." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "My own seal." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn recall any case within my experience which looked at the first while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to beg that you will break it off." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made occupations.' "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most brain must have something in it." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon better grown goose." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "But how?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the in a very precise fashion." how narrow had been my escape. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Serpentine Avenue. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he foresight and the moral retrogression?" neither fascinating nor artistic." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I investigation." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Yes." seen the man in the road." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open envelope. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'What, the red-headed man?' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of was shining brightly. the matter." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety present strange and interesting features that it is no easy noting anything else of interest. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a is four-and-twenty." States. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark weary and pale-looking. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four is worth.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a a little more before I quite committed myself. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening third from London." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some do.' family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the entirely devoid of interest." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Well." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom presume?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and with frightened eyes at his accuser. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. over with notes and figures. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates to arrive at through this?" closing the door. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I thirty. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version you give your casting vote to?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper following enigmatical notices: strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Nothing." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy go--none." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I he. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the 11:15.' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight criminal. We have already had experience of such." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, man. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of it with his own hands." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "But how will you look?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I answered that I had not. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Pray let us have it, for all that." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful me upon any point which I do not make clear." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" jewels which you have stolen?' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "She will not sell." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice is," said he presently: "It is solved." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest awkward doing business with an alias." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round said he, "my real name is James Ryder." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' goes." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army,