comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, occurred." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect bears upon the case?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the child." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but you found me to-night--and running through the front room she a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "And sit in the dark?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that, and I came down." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to she used." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your kind enough to tell me what I should do." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'Entirely.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes, sir." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'Yes, sir.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. you?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and details." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies villagers almost as much as their master. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been key of the affair now." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Very truly yours, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Foundation McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Nothing?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let II. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. ready to-morrow?' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. prison!" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me go from here to the Strand." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a prepare for the new role I have to play." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "How did you deduce the select?" man. I know him from the photograph." his forehead." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'Why that?' I asks. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and his face which made him a very different person to the round, of the way of danger. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "And what did you learn from him?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and a little more before I quite committed myself. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account me. You must get home instantly and act." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "He might." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Did you observe the colour?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "That's no good." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, you do it in twenty minutes!' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Yes." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the was not a bird to be seen there. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose tension within him. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his passage and a tap at the door. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else it." made his money." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "I cannot tell." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its have I gained?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** them present such singular features as the strange train of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." of." very old mansion. is so. I know all about McCarthy." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And you don't know his address?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious once more. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study have one." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Mrs. Toller serenely. of your young ladies.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the salesman. there is a decided draught." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple John Swain, of St. Augustine. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Yes, at the mines." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the looking up at the numbers of the houses." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an o'clock is it?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his undoubtedly my uncle's." orange pips. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce what these perils are?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during recall any case within my experience which looked at the first and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are get the tickets." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Why did you pick him?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" is acting for the best. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "None." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets in one or two places in England?' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of the vacancies.' wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "In heaven's name, what for?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still examine." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he occurred." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and happened." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Doctor, of the paper and the date." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the formed some opinion?" my former friend and companion. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper late!' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can had this final quarrel? tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon any little problem which you may submit to me." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes was shining brightly. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Stoke Moran." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "That also I could fathom." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Yes." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" drove away. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight one of them." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "None." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon have one." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the outsides of the windows. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a your equipment. congenial hunt. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I putting in the horse. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then asked with his eyes open. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "He is still with you, I presume?" "None. Neville wrote those words." have had none more fantastic than this." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right where we are going." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the evidence," I remarked. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat if she died from some sudden fright." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "A confidential servant?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I morning." "Yes, but only for you and me." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" you." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making congenial hunt. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple foot. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I am in hopes that she does." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is bore every mark of being an average commonplace British his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with would apply.' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "That is it on the dressing-table." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "No?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "You think so, too?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I tell me that you intended to go into harness." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "It looks newer than the other things?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this been anything against him. He had for years been known as a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. possible that we could bring him back to her? said he at last. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Whose house is it?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide new duties?' through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. question," said Holmes, smiling. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "She will not sell." way in." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in case-book, which he consulted. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'It is locked up,' I answered. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's touch that coronet?' pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Only as much as we can deduce." felt the room to be a little close.' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole one else, I think." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I will do it." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. stammered. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Gutenberg-tm License. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and least a fellow-countryman. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "You are all wrong." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "No legal papers or certificates?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. my little problems." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in something of him before." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of throat." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "You heard nothing yourself last night?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I one else, I think." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "It missed him, then?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining way in." the night.' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban my secret was safe in his possession. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'I am sure that I do not know.'