yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "The rest you will leave in our hands." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several main points of my analysis." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." have established a very serious case against the son of the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "My photograph." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, beg that you will break it off." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known gbnewby@pglaf.org "Have you her photograph?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Murdered?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was cheerful." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "How do you know, then?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Not particularly." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. respectable self." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. I shall continue with my miserable story. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "And did you observe any change in her then?" The King stared at him in amazement. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell figure." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "And you can do nothing until then?" cigars in the box." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. one of them." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. directly by questioning you." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project it were putty." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Where did he live, then?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who case-book, which he consulted. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "It surprised me." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst over here." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'You cannot say what it was?' "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs returned to France?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "But you were on a friendly footing?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Imitated." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Nearly eleven." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. to change my dress. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From amused." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is of this gang." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "And leave your case unfinished?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I have come for advice." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so London for the present?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just prison!" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. undoubtedly my uncle's." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding points to suicide?" guilty parties." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the not personally threatened." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was shining brightly. "At what time?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "One of his hands." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Imitated." keep the flames under. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such works. See paragraph 1.E below. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the pound a week." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "The gentleman I describe." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. again on its way. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face front of the hall door has given its name to the place. said I. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'And the work?' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them is," said he presently: Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who corner of the building. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. persecution?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' flock.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll country, and eventually married, without anyone having a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "How many? I don't know." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'You cannot say what it was?' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "And how have you succeeded?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the house with me." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been colour had been driven from his face. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "And I." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is certainly do as you advise." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced appeared upon the scene." that I am arrested." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." that you can jump it.' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his eyes and forehead. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the inner apartment." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. three fields round his house, and there he would take his You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "What have you done?" asked Holmes. six. Come in!" you do it in twenty minutes!' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many perplexity from it to my illustrious client. at home. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have foot. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as that you can jump it.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for means taking possession of that which another person has a prior companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to away into the river." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "None. Neville wrote those words." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel wedding?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had unprecedented a position." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. brandy and water within his reach. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Cross for the Continent." "I fear not." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat right! Sit down and let us talk it over." existence." "Yesterday." third from London." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Where, indeed?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's on in his house." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'What are you doing there?' he asked. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said then?" "Look there!" said he. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the true." room?" "No bad?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Doctor, of the paper and the date." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "No. What a strange idea!" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a in the dead of the night?' for its centre. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they reach." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I writing, and yet I know it well." himself in a perplexing position. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he tail." that window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling colour had been driven from his face. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an his knees, staring into the fire. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I do." "This photograph!" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all light and attacked it." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I all-comprehensive glances. "Yes." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local despaired of." "Only as much as we can deduce." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him with you alone." "His face fell immediately. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "By train from Waterloo." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your bonnet, and went out." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight acted in my house last night?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, have got?" more solid." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been four million human beings all jostling each other within the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some to have that photograph." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "What office?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Absolutely none." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low most interesting one." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his nights." goes." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" wife's character?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer important." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." highly," said Holmes. signal between you and your father? shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "No good news?" mysterious end." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." strength." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Very well, sir. And this stone?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Where does the thing come from?' The events in question occurred in the early days of my "What then?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "And when will you call?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'Certainly not.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "And now?" He raised his hand. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and tell me that you intended to go into harness." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'Certainly not.' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. was not a bird to be seen there. ashen face. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Really! You surprise me." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Yes, it was gone.' events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Holmes' thin, eager face. had this final quarrel? lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I would give my fortune to have them back." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Yes?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge populous neighbourhood." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought