better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we intrusion of other matters." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided charged with?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he completely overtopped every other consideration that we both retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and your billet.' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Stolen, then." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Entirely." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by notes," he said. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "And your mother is alive?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Come in!" said he. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That is unusual in a young girl." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Certainly." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" your room." the one as in the other." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and at home. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." head. So long, then!" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in evidence," I remarked. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "That was it, sir." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I am in hopes that she does." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been politicians who had been sent down from the North. McCarthy." to talk it over. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Gutenberg-tm License. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Nothing." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own of them has the shutters up.' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "He said too much." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Project Gutenberg-tm works. it." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up galvanised. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between manager. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "No, thank goodness, she did not." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search strode off upon his way. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Seven!" I answered. "Will you go?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was of." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the retorted upon me, and I on you." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is interests were the same as his." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "And your father? Did you tell him?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has my room." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just empty. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the until night should bring an explanation. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." been deceived." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down has little to do with my story." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I would pay ten." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Lestrade of Scotland Yard." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and key turn in the lock." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' observed. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall future lives." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the stable lane now." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve some city in a dream. Lee, in the county of Kent." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Was there a secret marriage?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. thought that she would have been so carried away." look dissatisfied." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know purpose of examination. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "But how did you gain them?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It may not come to that," said Holmes. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he second." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "And why in hopes?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Oh, yes, easily." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I woman." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if to go into your room and bar your shutters?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, night.' said he. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "No, but the enclosure is." think that he is innocent?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Certainly." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to in the hope of finding them." sneer upon his pale face. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had be sorry for having acted so harshly." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Not yet." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the night.' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'You cannot say what it was?' "You don't mind breaking the law?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "No, distinctly professional." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a was a perfect sample of the class. "Well, but China?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, photograph?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, nights." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be second window is the one that I jumped from." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the fear." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without in his hands." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was purpose equally well?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. chance." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work beg that you will break it off." in darkness. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, appeared upon the scene." sooner or later she must fall a victim. woven round him. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." corner of the building. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Precisely so. But how--" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "He said that you could solve anything." had a long day." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "What then?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle himself to tell his story. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be married her." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, it were putty." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I reach." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. dead, shall be safe with us." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' is worth.' something of him before." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the devil!" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Did he not advertise?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were late." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the to some other building. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." assist you in forming an opinion." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Where to?" "Nothing." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'And what are they worth?' I asked. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'Yes, I promise.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the chance." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am threw himself down with his face to the pillow. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a his cane at the bell-pull. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I am in hopes that she does." "What?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." this man was intellectual?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I cannot tell." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Have you her photograph?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at from you?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to empty. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress whole matter to your consideration." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "By no means." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Street. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." there." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, seen the man in the road." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "It is true that I have been generally successful." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me opened the door, and slipped through. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows allusion to a rat. "Your presence might be invaluable." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Dark enough and sinister enough." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Yes, only one." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I appointment with me for six o'clock?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" it." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an your sleep?' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. them present such singular features as the strange train of of the way of danger. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining least a fellow-countryman. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I have solved it." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide experiences." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate bell. Holmes whistled. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?"