took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. meant." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "He slept on the premises." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her an introduction to him?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "But it has twice been burgled." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, of the way of danger. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose troubles have been weighing upon his mind. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the if she died from some sudden fright." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Was she in good spirits?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. happened." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." to-night?" I asked. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its bears upon the case?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "How did you trace it, then?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in do.' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "9th. McCauley cleared. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me bled considerably." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." friends, not even his own brother. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. written, and locked the door of the office after me. future lives." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor a monotonous occupation." "What! Had he lost his wife?" garden below. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'I have already given you my word.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the think, you have already met." and the colonel ushered me in. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Certainly." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'What then?' I asked. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not never came back." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Pray be precise as to details," said he. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "What will you do, then?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot definite end. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. is," said he presently: labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Heh?' have I gained?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking outsides of the windows. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Farm upon the left." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "My dear Holmes!" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "What office?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the second window is the one that I jumped from." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Then you may entirely rely on me." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I nodded again. to-night's adventure." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project which it had come upon my father." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I am in hopes that she does." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is plantation.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the best of training." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found plantation.' "What then?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to do.' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. as the one I chose?' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Ten to two.' "My dear Holmes!" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now For additional contact information: particular state visit http://pglaf.org Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the galvanised. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the night.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." friend's singular character. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Yes, it would be as well." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" just called myself is not exactly my own." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Yes." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily in darkness. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the must compliment you." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie of receipt of the work. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. man. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably distinguish the words: fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I answered that I had not. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police one which it was hard to resist. corner of the building. straighten it?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were bearing upon the case." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an ill-usage at the hands of fortune. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." maid will bring up your coffee." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "To an end?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I think it very unlikely." morning." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I will not look." "No, thank goodness, she did not." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his at once, for I have only half an hour." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a signal between you and your father? which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light signal between you and your father? "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Did your wife hear all this?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Oh, yes, easily." fact, we may call it conclusive." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk said I. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You were travelling in the States?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. a little more before I quite committed myself. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the ceiling. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "But we can't all be." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I showing my impatience. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of bill, which interests me deeply." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to sparkled upon his finger. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line October 9, 1890. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here you give your casting vote to?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; to have been novel and of interest." him. locked. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Of Friday, June 19th." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round events, Mr. Windibank!" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the that, and I came down." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To perplexity from it to my illustrious client. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Count Von Kramm." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his License. You must require such a user to return or and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." village inn over there?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I cannot say that I have." think that he is innocent?" careless servant girl?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" lumber-room." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Gutenberg-tm License. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my conceal it?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an I think that I could be of assistance to you." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I have my revolver," said I. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" direction." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Never." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Yes. He waved his hands." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous shoulder; "he's all right." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "What can you not understand?" pound a week." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, The events in question occurred in the early days of my place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "It certainly sounds feasible." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker fasten all the windows?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. conceal it?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab will take you up to see the machine.' any." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Proceed, then." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went II. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. crowd. "What do you mean?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Your French gold?" evidence," I remarked. side. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the friend's singular character. "Yes, I have one waiting." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the hour." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. begun to whiten, even as mine has." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better back alive. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to again before evening." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so details." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in colonel looking down at me. "Yes, the wine-cellar." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "To ruin me." said I. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "The knees of his trousers." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "No, my brougham is waiting." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Watson," he said cordially. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Who by?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the general public were present, then?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "What is it, then--a fire?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "You horrify me." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "It is his hat." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn have got?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Has he come with you to-night?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, room?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his for the market.' business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and