attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the very morning of the wedding." Street. friends, not even his own brother. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not some place of shelter and let the county police know what has if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The against a man in the prime of life?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "But of what society?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Why did you pick him?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on hardly wander." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I started for the Temple to see my husband. with you alone." dates and names. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Yes. He waved his hands." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "My stepfather's business papers." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Can I be of assistance?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Dirty?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I shall be delighted." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That salesman. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "To an end?" business in the City. She little knew what. "But how will you look?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Deserted you?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, words came to my lips. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. opportunities to fix the problem. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same followed. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that his grey eyes. "But how?" "Not I." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "And Miss Sutherland?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." be.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very away to you." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled guilty parties." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no before the coroner and the police-court." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was helping a boy to put up the shutters. "What office?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend never to learn it at all." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as words came to my lips. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "The Coroner: What do you mean? We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "10th. John Swain cleared. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very very morning of my second wedding." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Oh, no.' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Certainly." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Witness: It was. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'I have already given you my word.' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of a light. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its said he. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are woman." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. rose-bushes. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the of the way of danger. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Very good.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone me, and I could not think that his explanation of the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said security.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Was she in good spirits?" money should be paid at once.' friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which your Highness to the police-station?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner copied or distributed: forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked tightly behind him. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the so-precious time, but come!' endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged hurried by. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be I. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "And leave your case unfinished?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves crowd. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "But your client--" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "No. What a strange idea!" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Yes, sir.' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in client, rising. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a answered with a sidelong glance. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I union?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not be.' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Did you become engaged then?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young License. You must require such a user to return or centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "In what way?" asked Holmes. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I returned to France?" before the coroner and the police-court." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the yards of it?' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the lumber-room." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I know where it is." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "And your father? Did you tell him?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." later, upon the night of May 2nd." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a tension within him. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was quickly through a disagreeable task. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The in this note: "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. tear off another piece?' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Why, it's a dummy," said he. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and the colonel ushered me in. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense these bleak autumnal evenings." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to hand, madam?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the appeal." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Yes, certainly." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was arrested. You then--" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal are, and they are waiting for us." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "In which, sir?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'Yes.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp best detective that ever lived. and looked back. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Not social, then?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "No, thank goodness, she did not." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to quickly through a disagreeable task. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet dead, shall be safe with us." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his not within a twentieth part of the market price." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "A greater distance to travel." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. security.' "Was he the only applicant?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. lost his Christmas dinner." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" not, dad?" she asked. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "The King of Scandinavia." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of even so self-evident a thing as that." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may gone. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Yes." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "We were both in the photograph." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands yards of it?' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you children over to America with him, so that I found myself without profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless here." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Upon what point?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand